Since its foundation, the School of Medicine of the University of Minho (EMED) has been a center of excellence that combines cutting-edge medical education with high-impact scientific research and technological innovation in health. Rooted in a culture of collaboration, social responsibility, and academic rigor, EMED has established a unique ecosystem in both the national and international landscape, where education, science, and innovation are interwoven to transform healthcare and serve society.
A Cohesive and Dynamic Community
This collective project is supported by a vibrant community of students, through the Medical Students' Union of the University of Minho (NEMUM), and alumni, represented by Alumni Medicina, who continue to actively contribute to the School's development. The active involvement of students in scientific, academic, and social activities is one of EMED's cornerstones, fostering a comprehensive, critical, and humanistic education. The alumni network has played an essential role in establishing partnerships, mentoring new students, and creating a global network of healthcare professionals committed to the School's values.
Excellence in Scientific Research: The Role of ICVS
At the heart of EMED's scientific activity is the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), established in 2003. With around 250 researchers and hundreds of annual publications, ICVS is at the forefront of biomedical and clinical research in Portugal. Organized into interdisciplinary research groups, the institute develops projects in the following areas:
- Neuroscience and mental health
- Cellular and molecular biology
- Infection and immunity
- Clinical and translational research
- Public health and epidemiology
- Experimental surgery
ICVS also stands out for its integration with Hospital de Braga, promoting applied clinical research that is close to patients and directly impacts the improvement of healthcare. In addition, it participates in international research networks and collaborates with centers of excellence worldwide.
Digital Health Innovation: The P5 Digital Medicine Center
Another key pillar of EMED's vision is the P5 Digital Medicine Center, a space dedicated to the digital transformation of healthcare. Founded with the mission to promote predictive, preventive, personalized, participatory, and precision medicine, the center focuses on the development of:
- Technological solutions for disease diagnosis and monitoring
- Digital platforms for clinical decision support
- Artificial intelligence applied to medicine
- Training professionals in digital health skills
P5 serves as a bridge between science and technological innovation, contributing to the modernization of health systems and preparing physicians and researchers for future challenges.
Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer: 2CA-Braga and B.acis
The strategy of connecting research, education, and clinical practice is also embodied in 2CA-Braga – Clinical Academic Center, an innovative partnership between EMED, ICVS, and Hospital de Braga. This structure promotes clinical research with a direct impact on patient care, ensuring the transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to the patient's bedside. 2CA-Braga is a reference in promoting clinical trials, observational studies, and patient-centered research programs.
Additionally, the Health Innovation Center of the School of Medicine (B.acis) — which stands for Braga Academic Clinical Innovation in Health — was created as a platform to foster entrepreneurship, open science, and the development of innovative health solutions. B.acis encourages collaboration between researchers, clinicians, students, and industry partners, aiming to generate added value for the healthcare system.
An Integrated and Transformative Vision
In this interconnected space of excellent medical training, robust scientific research, digital innovation, and institutional cooperation, lies an integrated vision of the School of Medicine's mission. This vision reflects a collective and shared commitment to:
- Academic and scientific excellence
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Social responsibility
- The continuous transformation of healthcare at both local and global levels
EMED takes pride in being a space where ideas are born, careers are built, and solutions that improve lives are developed. Its impact is measured not only in scientific publications or international rankings, but above all in the people it trains, the patients it cares for, and the communities it serves.
