Lisbon, May 13, 2025 — The Católica Medical School (CMS) and the Clinical Academic Centre Católica-Luz hosted its highly anticipated Medical Education Day, bringing together national and international leaders in medical education for a full day of discussion, reflection, and knowledge-sharing. Held at the Católica Medical School, the event attracted academics, faculty members, students, and educational innovators to explore the evolving landscape of medical education.
The day began with an Opening Session featuring remarks from José Manuel Pereira de Almeida, Vice-Rector of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, António Medina de Almeida, Dean of CMS, and Pedro Mateus, Head of the CMS Department of Medical Education, setting a tone of collaboration and forward-thinking for the sessions ahead.
The first session, led by Dr. Yoon Soo Park from the University of Illinois at Chicago, provided insights into the emerging science of educational analytics, highlighting trends from the U.S. on how data can be leveraged to enhance both learning and research.
In Session Two, Professor Maria Amélia Ferreira, a respected figure from Porto Medical School, addressed the major transformations and uncertainties shaping modern medical education, emphasizing the importance of narrative and adaptability in the current educational climate.
Session Three featured a dynamic round table by CMS’s own Department of Medical Education. Sofia Menéres, Frederico Simões do Couto, and Teresa Nazareth demystified faculty development, offering an inside look at the design and implementation of a problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum.
Following a midday break, the program resumed with Session Four, where Maria José Diógenes from Lisbon Medical School discussed the crucial role of Pedagogical Councils and education departments in promoting innovative, human-centered learning environments.
Session Five shifted the spotlight to CMS students themselves, with Frederico Saragga, Joana Martins, Martim Oliveira, and Sam Izadloo sharing their perspectives on engaging in research during medical training. Their insights underscored the value of student-led academic inquiry in shaping future physicians.
In Session Six, international education expert Dr. Ara Tekian explored the global scope of Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) programs, offering comparative insights into international curricula and career trajectories in health professions education.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Dean António Medina de Almeida, followed by a networking cocktail that provided participants an informal setting to continue exchanging ideas and fostering new collaborations.
The Medical Education Day reinforced CMS’s commitment to excellence in teaching and innovation, while fostering dialogue across borders and generations in medical education.
