In November 2008, it was created to tell and keep our stories, achievements, discoveries, growth and maturity, some of our pains but also some of our greatest joys. News@FMUL was born, in the words of the first editorial note,  “as a powerful tool for knowledge and dissemination”, and, we believe, as a place for sharing projects and fulfilling dreams.

So, today we recall some of our memories. Come on this trip with us.

 

“…Always evolving…”

The year that News@Fmul was born was also a year of change for FMUL. It was in that year that the Lisbon Academic Medical Centre (CAML) was created, a major contribution to the development of academic medical education in Portugal. And while this link so important for teaching was reinforced, especially for graduate students with the support of the Advanced Training Institute, steps were also being taken in pre-graduate education with the courage to carry out a  reform in Medical Education.

As we can see, FMUL never stopped in time and more than a decade ago it identified the new technologies as important tools for learning. NewsFMUL shows the first results and celebrates with  FMUL the 100 years of this institution. And our institution, over time, never ceases to amaze us: new technologies are being implemented that make daily routines easier. FMUL knows that in order to seize opportunities, it needs to create conditions.

For this reason, the Facilities, Equipment, Information Technologies and new portals was created, vital in this digital age, new administrative concepts were implemented to simplify processes, computer platforms for academic support  were built and continue to expand, as we know that only with innovation and student support  we can continue to be a great school. We share pedagogical knowledge, as well as entrepreneurial news, and give our students tools and support, whether by revitalizing the more traditional ones, or by using new techniques, at a distance, or closer to us.

Academically we have matured, with the creation of a unique doctoral programme  and recently we demonstrated that we are present in several areas of Health, with the creation of our Degree in Nutrition Sciences  and at the forefront of new communication systems connecting lecturers and students.

FMUL does not only grow internally, but also externally, celebrating international and  national protocols. At the same time, the merger between the Technical University and the Classical University of Lisbon became a reality. Today, it is a pillar with the medical community and  Portuguese-speaking schools, strengthening ties, whether near or a little further away.

Today, FMUL is closer, showing its best  to all, live, from the other side of the monitor, and always present for those who want to celebrate it, without ever forgetting its history and  emerging stronger from the bad times, with an image to be remembered  and doors open to the future.

 

"... With Professionals of Excellence…"

We can talk about development and modernity, but none of this would be possible without the professionals, lecturers and researchers who have always honoured our house.

We do not Forget that 10 years ago we had national celebrations such as the  Pessoa Prize 2010 awarded to Professor Maria do Carmo Fonseca or the distinction given by the President to Professor Henrique Bicha Castelo and international ones like the World Sleep Day Award to Professor Teresa Paiva.

We cherish the University of Lisbon 2013 Award to Professor João Lobo Antunes, as well as his last lesson.

In our Faculty, our students reward their favourite professors, as was Professor Óscar Dias in 2016, and the University of Lisbon in 2017 rewarded not only a former student, Professor Maria de Sousa, but also current professors: Professor Joaquim Ferreira, Doctor Luísa Lopes and Professor Nuno Santos

We have leading professors, recognized worldwide and who make FMUL big: Professor Vaz Carneiro, also from the CEMBE, who coordinates Cochrane in Portugal, the appointment of Professor Jacinto Monteiro as chairman of the Shoulder and Elbow Committee, the appointment of Professor José Ferro as expert of the E-Health Directorate of the European Commission  or the election of Professor António Barbosa as president of the International College of Psychosomatic  Medicine and, more recently, we even been involved in Nasa through Dr. Edson Santos Oliveira,  our professor.

Nationally, our professors and researchers were also distinguished: the Order of Merit given to Professor Pereira Miguel, the presidency of Professor Henrique Luz Rodrigues of Infarmed, the presidency of Professor Monteiro-Grillo of the Portuguese Ophthalmology Society, and the  Santa Casa Neuroscience Awards given to Professor Maria José Diógenes and Professor Bruno Miranda or the position in 2018 of Deputy Sub-Director General of Health taken by Dr Diogo Fonseca e Cruz.

Of course, we cannot fail to mention our director,  Professor Fausto Pinto, with positions as President of the European Cardiology Association  and also as President of the European Cardiology Commission, and our vice directors, Professor Mamede de Carvalho, distinguished with the 2015 Robert S. Schwab Award and Professor Ana Sebastião, coordinator of the Mind Brain College project.

We know that there are more, many more than those mentioned here, and that every day they demonstrate their knowledge and strive to raise the name of our Faculty. It doesn't end here, we want to continue talking about all of you, professors and researchers, who do so much for FMUL and for our country.

 

"...Curious to discover…"

We speak here of some of the biggest names we are so proud of, but we need to underline the role that FMUL plays in national and international research. It is impossible to talk about research at FMUL without mentioning the importance of the Institute of Molecular Medicine located at FMUL’s Egas Moniz building. It is thanks to the effort and synergy of FMUL/IMM researchers that great opportunities and projects have emerged: the European leadership for the development of neurodegenerative drugs, and the  leadership of a European consortium in the fight against HIV.

Within the IMM, a Biobank was also born, to support  clinical biomedical research in Portugal, and important research was carried out, such as the  discovery of cells of the immune system  or research to treat graft-versus-host disease.

FMUL has always been a promoter of research, whether by offering courses to its students  or as co-founder of collaborative laboratories. Also at FMUL, the first Medical Robotic Simulation Centre in Portugal was created in 2012, and, in 2015, the Clinical Research Centre of the Lisbon Academic Medical Centre was opened. Among these milestones for the development of scientific research, FMUL was also honoured by the Ministry of Health.

Our faculty promotes research and conducts projects in several areas, ranging from  Parkinson’s treatment,  ageing, neurological areas, to nutrition and healthy eating.

FMUL knows that part of its success is due to its partners and that is why it has always celebrated its great milestones: the  Institute of Molecular Medicine, when it celebrated 10 years of existence , the  20 years of the AIDFM, a supporter and partner in countless projects, and the 50th anniversary of UTIC,. Recently, it celebrated the  excellent results that several associated centres and institutes had in the FCT.

We are big because we have the best with us and we always want to find out more, research more, bring the best evidence for the good of all.

 

"...And those who conduct research with us"

We have always been a school with doors open for anyone who wanted to visit us, whether royalty  or award-winning researchers , but especially for those who  aspired to study with us. Our students are our identity and we work for them. We know that they are the best, and that every day they give more and more, with commitment and pride in their future professional life.   They are also supportive, not forgetting others, multifaceted, achieving more in  areas other than medicine, already with a pedagogical attitude, teaching the youngest  and thinking out of the box and the planet.

For our students and for the whole community, FMUL has always provided and encouraged various activities and events, many in conjunction with the AEFMUL, be it the promotion of research among the student community, or mobility at summer schools, or through  pedagogical projects or cultural events. And we cannot fail to give due importance to the role that the AEFMUL plays in FMUL, supporting students in the most diverse aspects and also with several events, some much missed, others full of humour, culminating in the always unforgettable Medicine’s Evening.

FMUL is a huge house, made up of people from the most varied areas, a great team, people of immense generosity, so often working behind the scenes. And today, FMUL, with new dreams, in these interesting times, remains here, doing everything to bring everyone the best of us, whether now or in the future.

We hope you have enjoyed this journey. Just like we enjoy being with you every month.