Kole Suma Heqimi (1765–1832) was the first Albanian medic[1] and the personal medic of Mustafa Pasha Bushatli, who ruled much of Shkoder during the Ottoman Empire.[2] Heqimi participated in the Russo-Turkish war in 1828. In 1824 Heqimi traveled with the Pasha of Shkoder to the battle of Vidinos. He studied in Venice and was married to the sister of pharmacist Francesko Tedeschini. Heqimi was also the personal medic of Ibrahim Pasha of Scutari. For 42 years he worked as a professional medic untill his death in 1832.

Origin
Heqimi was from the Suma tribe. The first trace of the family was discovered in an old document speaking of a baron named Demetrius Summa in 1331 who ruled Shirgjir.[3][4] In the 1600s, Kole Summa is mentioned as a trader in Shkoder and Ulqin. His son, Jake Kole Suma, was a diplomat and his son Mark Jak Summa was a trader. His descendants were also mentioned, such as Jak Mark Summi, the consultant of Venice in 1796, Andrea Suma and Kole Mark Suma, the first Albanian doctor. The tribe of Suma continued to exist in Shkoder during the 18th century, and in 2003, an Albanian author and doctor named Terezina Suma, a descendant from the family, wrote the book ”Fisi Suma” explaining in detail her heritage.[5] Dr. Kole Suma had three sons, Gjon, Francesku and a daughter named Rozen. His sons traveled to the institution of Larte Komercial in Milano, Italy. Gjon Kole Suma, a trader in Italy, had one son named Nikola who was the consultant of Great Britain in 1917 in Shkoder. He had five sons and three daughters.

Modern day
The Suma family house still stands and is characterized by Shkoder architecture. There is also a hospital named after Kole Heqimi.[6]

References

1. Zemra Shqiptare – Paul Tedeschini: Nuk ka “Histori Mjeksie Shqiptare” pa Dr. Kadri Kerçikun!. Fjalor enciklopedik shqiptar: N-Zh dhe një shtojcë (in Albanian).
2. Akademia e Shkencave e Shqipërisë.
3. Fine, John V. A.; Fine, John Van Antwerp. The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press. ISBN0472082604.
4. Elsie, Robert. The Tribes of Albania: History, Society and Culture. I.B.Tauris. ISBN9781784534011.
5. “Federata Shqiptare e Notit : Events”. http://www.fshn.org.al.
6. “Doktori shqiptar”. http://www.bksh.al.