Brazil stands as a key example of integrating complementary therapies into a national health system, serving over 150 million people. At the forefront of this movement is Mariana Cabral Schveitzer, PhD, a central figure in advancing Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM). As President of the 3rd World Congress on TCIM, she brings visionary leadership to a historic event, the first of its kind in Latin America.
Her work is pivotal in shaping policies and fostering academic excellence in the field. Consequently, Dr. Schveitzer’s role champions South-South collaboration and the integration of diverse knowledge systems, reinforcing Brazil’s pioneering model of combining Eastern and Western medicine in public healthcare.
Biography and Expertise of Mariana Cabral
Dr. Mariana Cabral Schveitzer is a driving force behind the scientific and institutional consolidation of integrative health in Brazil. Her career reflects a deep commitment to bridging the gap between rigorous research and the holistic principles of TCIM. Therefore, she plays a crucial role in steering the congress towards its goal of strengthening global public health.
Her expertise aligns directly with the congress’s core thematic axes. Through her leadership, she actively promotes the “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems” and contributes to “Global Public Health (Evidence-Based)” through systematic reviews. Beyond research, her dedication to “TCIM Education and Training” as a professor ensures the field’s sustainable growth, reinforcing the pillar of “Knowledge Diversity.”
Professional Career and Institutional Leadership
Dr. Mariana Cabral Schveitzer’s career blends academia with strategic leadership, shaping Brazil’s integrative health landscape. Her progression from specialized research to broad-impact leadership roles has made her a key influencer in TCIM policy and education.
- Former President, Brazilian Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (CABSIN) (2023-2024): Led a national network to promote high-quality, evidence-based TCIM research, education, and policy.
- Professor, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) (2016-Present): Trains healthcare professionals in integrative care, building capacity within the national health system.
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, EEUSP (2015-2016): Deepened research in collaborative work within Primary Health Care.
Academic Journey
Dr. Schveitzer’s academic journey provided the robust scientific framework for her career in integrative health. Her education at leading Brazilian universities equipped her with profound expertise in public health and research methods, establishing a strong commitment to evidence-based inquiry.
- PhD in Science (2015), USP: Her research on TCIM concepts in Primary Health Care showcased her early expertise in health system integration.
- Master’s Degree in Nursing (2011), UFSC: This work deepened her understanding of education and research methodologies.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (2007), UFSC: This foundational degree formed the basis of her evidence-informed approach to health.
Driving Evidence-Based Research and Policy
The research portfolio of Mariana Cabral reflects her commitment to the scientific validation of TCIM. Her work focuses on building a solid evidence base for practices that improve well-being, directly supporting the World Health Organization (WHO) Traditional Medicine Strategy’s emphasis on research.
Beyond primary research, Dr. Schveitzer is a leading voice in synthesizing evidence to inform public health policy. Her participation in reports like the “Integration of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine in the Institutionalization of Evidence-Informed Decision-Making” is crucial for developing responsible guidelines and aligns with the 3rd WCTCIM’s focus on evidence-informed contributions.
Shaping Professional Standards
Dr. Schveitzer impacts policy through her involvement in key institutional bodies, where she translates research into standards governing TCIM in Brazil. Her leadership helps build the institutional architecture necessary for integrative health to thrive within national health systems.
Her role as President of the 3rd WCTCIM Organizing Committee places her at the helm of the first World Congress in Latin America, embodying its spirit of global dialogue. Additionally, as the former head of CABSIN, she guided the consortium to become a leading voice for academic integrative health in Brazil, influencing the national landscape.
Connect with Dr. Mariana Cabral
To further explore the extensive work and professional contributions of Dr. Mariana Cabral Schveitzer, you can access her official academic profiles. These platforms provide detailed information on her publications, research projects, and professional activities.
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I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Mariana while I was evaluating information for my undergraduate Nutrition thesis at FSP USP. At the time, the Consortium didn’t exist yet. She was a wonderful professional, open to guiding newcomers like me, who were interested in Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (PICS in Brazil) or TCIM worldwide!