Mariana Cabral Schveitzer

Biography and Expertise of Mariana Cabral Schveitzer

Dr. Mariana Cabral Schveitzer is a driving force behind the scientific and institutional consolidation of integrative health in Brazil. Her career is a testament to a deep commitment to bridging the gap between rigorous research and the holistic principles of TCIM. As a president of the 3rd WCTCIM organizing committee, she plays a crucial role in steering the congress towards its goal of strengthening global public health, marking a significant milestone with the event’s first edition in Latin America.

Her expertise directly aligns with several of the congress’s core thematic axes. Through her leadership at CABSIN, she actively promotes the “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems” (Thematic Axis 2), working to create frameworks for evidence-based practices within Brazil’s Unified Health System. Furthermore, her background in systematic reviews research and public health, exemplifies the “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based)” (Thematic Axis 3). This work provides a strong scientific foundation for validating traditional and complementary therapies for complex health challenges, fully embodying the principles of the Gujarat Declaration.

Beyond research, Dr. Mariana Cabral Schveitzer is a dedicated educator. Her role as a professor at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) in a master’s program focused on integrative care underscores her commitment to “TCIM Education and Training” (Thematic Axis 5). By training the next generation of healthcare professionals, she ensures the sustainability and responsible growth of the field, reinforcing the congress motto’s pillar of “Knowledge Diversity.”

Professional Career and Institutional Leadership

Dr. Mariana Cabral Schveitzer‘s career blends academia and strategic leadership, contributing to scholarly knowledge and shaping Brazil’s integrative health landscape. Her roles at federal universities and CABSIN show a consistent dedication to advancing the field.

Her career progressed from specialized research to broad-impact leadership. Each position was a stepping stone toward her current role as a key influencer in national and international TCIM policy and education.

• Former President, Brazilian Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (CABSIN) (2023-2024): Leads a national network promoting high-quality, evidence-based TCIM research, education, and policy, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for integrative health.
• Professor, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) (2016-Present): Contributes to under and graduate programs training healthcare professionals in integrative care, directly building capacity within the national health system.
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow, EEUSP (2015-2016): Deepened research in collaborative work in Primary Health Care.

Academic Journey

The academic journey of Dr. Mariana Cabral Schveitzer provided her with the robust scientific framework that underpins her distinguished career in integrative health. She pursued her education at the prestigious Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) and Universidade de São Paulo (USP), one of Brazil’s leading research universities. This consistent and focused training equipped her with profound expertise in public health and biomedical research methods.

Her education established a strong commitment to the principles of scientific inquiry, which she now applies to the study of TCIM. This foundation is crucial for building credibility and ensuring that integrative practices are evaluated with the same rigor as conventional medicine.

• PhD in Science (2015), USP: Her doctoral research was a significant contribution to TCIM. The dissertation, which investigated the concepts and beliefs of TCIM in Primary Health Care, showcasing her early expertise in integration, a field now central to TCIM research.
• Master’s Degree in Nursing (2011), UFSC: Building upon her undergraduate studies, her master’s work deepened her understanding of education and research methodologies, preparing her for advanced doctoral studies.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (2007), UFSC: This foundational degree provided her with a comprehensive understanding of nursing, from humanistic care to clinical application, forming the basis of her evidence-informed approach to health.

Driving Evidence-Based Research in Integrative Health

Dr. Mariana Cabral Schveitzer‘s research portfolio reflects her commitment to TCIM’s scientific validation. Her work is situated at the integration of evidence-based practices and public health, consistently building a solid evidence base for practices improving well-being. Her high-impact publications influence clinical and academic discourse.

Her strategic research agenda addresses knowledge gaps, synthesizing complex information for policymakers, clinicians, and the public. This directly supports the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy’s emphasis on research and evidence.

Beyond primary research, Dr. Schveitzer has become a leading voice in synthesizing evidence to inform public health policy. A landmark example is her participation in the recent article “Integration of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine in the Institutionalization of Evidence-Informed Decision-Making: The World Health Organization Meeting Report.” This comprehensive work critically evaluates the existing body of evidence across multiple mental health conditions. Such high-level evidence synthesis is crucial for developing responsible guidelines and aligns perfectly with the 3rd WCTCIM’s focus on evidence-informed contributions to global health challenges.

Shaping Policy and Professional Standards

Dr. Mariana Cabral Schveitzer impacts policy and standards through involvement in key institutional and professional bodies. Her leadership translates research into policies and standards governing TCIM in Brazil, ensuring safe, effective, and sustainable growth of integrative health.

Her committee activities demonstrate a profound commitment to public service and the responsible stewardship of her field. Through these efforts, she helps build the institutional architecture necessary for TCIM to thrive within national health systems.

• President, 3rd WCTCIM Organizing Committee: In her most prominent current role, Dr. Schveitzer is at the helm of organizing the first-ever World Congress on TCIM in Latin America. This position involves immense strategic planning and international collaboration, embodying the congress’s spirit of South-South cooperation and global dialogue.
• Former President, Brazilian Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (CABSIN): Since 2023, she has guided CABSIN to become the leading voice for academic integrative health in Brazil. The consortium unites researchers and institutions to advocate for funding, develop educational curricula, and advise governmental bodies, directly influencing the national TCIM landscape.
• Coordinator, Evidence Hub of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices, EvipNET, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP): This role leverages her expertise as a researcher to contribute to the development of regulations and standards for TCIM evidence base practices. Her work here ensures that health care professionals are adequately trained and regulated to provide TCIM services, safeguarding public health and promoting interprofessional collaboration.

Connect with Dr. Schveitzer

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, offering a comprehensive view of her impact on the field of integrative health.

Lattes CV: View on Lattes Platform
The Lattes Platform is the official curriculum vitae database for researchers in Brazil, managed by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

ORCID Profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9833-2932

Google Scholar: View Publications on Google Scholar