Inês Reis

Biography and Expertise of Inês Reis

Dr. Inês Reis has forged a remarkable career spanning nearly four decades at the forefront of public health in Brazil. Her professional journey is a testament to a deep commitment to strengthening primary healthcare by embedding integrative practices into the national health system. As a researcher at FIOCRUZ and a key member of the Observatory of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (ObservaPICS), she works to build a solid evidence base for these practices.

Her work directly embodies the 3rd WCTCIM’s Thematic Axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems.” Dr. Reis focuses on creating practical, scalable models for incorporating PICS into primary care, ensuring they are delivered safely and effectively. Furthermore, her dedication to research methodology aligns perfectly with the principles of the Gujarat Declaration, which emphasizes the need for scientific validation to inform public health policies.

Beyond national borders, the involvement of Inês Reis with the Red MTCI Américas highlights her role in fostering the South-South collaboration celebrated by this congress. Her efforts to connect and share knowledge across Latin America contribute to a collective, regional approach to TCIM. Therefore, her expertise also supports the congress motto pillars of “Knowledge Diversity” and building “Well-being Societies” through a more holistic and integrated vision of public health.

Professional Career Highlights

Dr. Inês Reis‘s professional trajectory combines academic rigor, practical application, and strategic leadership in Brazilian public health. Her career bridges the gap between policy and practice in primary care and integrative medicine, positioning her as a respected authority in the field.

Her roles have evolved from direct service to high-level research and educational development, reflecting a growing influence on national health strategies. Each position has contributed to her goal of institutionalizing integrative practices in Brazil.

• Professor and Researcher: At the Sergio Arouca National School of Public Health (ENSP/FIOCRUZ), she educates future leaders and researches health promotion and PICS.
• Member of ObservaPICS/VPAAPS: Contributes to the national observatory for monitoring, analyzing, and disseminating information on integrative practices within the SUS.
• Coordinator of FormaPICS Brasil: Leads a multicenter study mapping training courses for PICS professionals across Brazil to inform policy and educational standards.
• Educational Leader: Develops and manages PICS learning units for the Multiprofessional Residency in Family Health, a Specialization in Palliative Care, and coordinates a new Specialization in PICS.
• Holistic Therapist: Maintains a practice within the SUS, providing hands-on experience that informs her research and teaching.
• Previous Leadership Roles: Served as Coordinator of Teaching in Primary Health Care and Deputy Coordinator of the Research Ethics Committee at ENSP, showing her commitment to educational excellence and ethical research.

Academic Foundation and Training

Dr. Inês Reis‘s academic background is the foundation of her influential public health career. Her qualifications reflect a focus on understanding health not just as the absence of disease, but as a dynamic process of well-being shaped by social, environmental, and individual factors. This perspective is central to her advocacy for integrative medicine.

Her doctoral studies, in particular, equipped her with the theoretical and methodological tools to investigate and promote health from a holistic and community-oriented standpoint. This training has been essential for designing research that addresses the complex challenges of implementing PICS in a large-scale public health system.

• Doctorate (PhD) in Health Promotion: This terminal degree represents her deep expertise in theories and practices aimed at enabling individuals and communities to increase control over and improve their health. It underpins her focus on empowerment and prevention in primary care.
• Extensive Expertise in Public Health: Backed by 37 years of experience, her knowledge of Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) is both academic and experiential, covering its structure, policies, and operational realities.
• Specialization in Research Methodology: A core component of her skillset, this expertise ensures her research projects, like FormaPICS Brasil, are designed and executed with scientific rigor, contributing credible evidence to the field.
• Certified Holistic Therapist: This practical training complements her academic credentials, providing her with a dual perspective as both a researcher and a practitioner. This unique position enriches her understanding of the therapeutic relationship and the application of PICS in clinical settings.

Research on Integrative Practices in Public Health

The research agenda of Dr. Inês Reis is dedicated to generating critical knowledge for the advancement of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) in Brazil. Her work moves beyond simple efficacy studies to explore the complex realities of implementation, professional training, and the diverse therapeutic rationalities that coexist within healthcare services. This approach provides a nuanced understanding necessary for effective policymaking.

A cornerstone of her recent work is the FormaPICS Brasil study. This national, multicenter research project, which she coordinates, is a pioneering effort to map the landscape of PICS education in the country. By analyzing the content, quality, and accessibility of training courses, the study aims to provide crucial data for developing national standards for PICS professionals. Therefore, this research directly addresses the “TCIM Education and Training” axis of the 3rd WCTCIM.

Furthermore, the publications of Inês Reis consistently contribute to the critical discourse on integrative health. She explores how different healing traditions can be integrated into the SUS in a way that respects their unique principles while ensuring safety and efficacy. Her work champions the idea of “Knowledge Diversity” and provides the evidence needed to build a more inclusive and person-centered global public health model, as envisioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) Traditional Medicine Strategy.

National and International Collaboration

Dr. Inês Reis actively participates in key national and international strategic networks and committees. Her involvement is crucial for translating research into policy and fostering collaboration among TCIM stakeholders. These roles amplify her work at FIOCRUZ, contributing to broader systemic change.

This engagement places her at the center of dialogues shaping the future of integrative medicine. Through these platforms, she advocates for evidence-informed practice, interprofessional education, and the strategic integration of TCIM into health systems.

• ObservaPICS/VPAAPS: As a member of this FIOCRUZ observatory, she plays a key role in monitoring and analyzing PICS policies and implementation in Brazil, providing essential information for health managers and policymakers.
• Rede PICS Brasil: As an ObservaPICS representative in this national network, she connects with researchers, practitioners, and civil society. This network strengthens PICS through collective action and knowledge exchange.
• Red MTCI Américas: Her participation in the Americas Network for Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine reflects the 3rd WCTCIM’s focus on South-South collaboration. She helps share best practices with colleagues throughout Latin America, strengthening the regional TCIM movement.
• Research Ethics Committee at ENSP: Her past role as a deputy coordinator shows her deep commitment to the highest ethical standards in research, a fundamental requirement for building trust in the evidence base for TCIM.

Connect with Dr. Reis

For a more in-depth look at the academic and professional contributions of Dr. Inês Reis, her comprehensive curriculum and publication history are available through Brazil’s official academic platform. This resource provides detailed information on her extensive research projects, publications, and academic activities.

Lattes Curriculum (Official Brazilian Academic Profile): View Full Curriculum

Her extensive list of publications, which outlines her significant contributions to the scientific literature on public health and integrative medicine, can also be accessed directly via her ORCID profile.