Paola Tôrres, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine | Hematologist | Writer | Postdoctoral Researcher in Cultural Biology & Integrative Medicine
Paola Tôrres, MD, PhD, is a distinguished hematologist, dedicated professor of medicine at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) and the University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), and an accomplished writer. Her extensive work is deeply rooted in a commitment to integrating scientific knowledge with humanistic approaches to healthcare. Furthermore, Dr. Tôrres holds a postdoctoral degree in Cultural Biology and Integrative Medicine, fields that profoundly inform her practice and research. She is celebrated nationally in Brazil as a reference in narrative medicine and popular health education. As a cordelista and speaker, Paola Tôrres skillfully merges science and poetry to promote humanized, culturally grounded care, making complex medical knowledge accessible.
Her institutional representations include the Universidade Federal do Ceará, Universidade de Fortaleza, and the Instituto Roda da Vida. Paola Tôrres serves on the Scientific Committee for the 3rd WCTCIM, contributing her unique expertise to this global event.
Academic and Research Foundation of Paola Tôrres
Dr. Paola Tôrres has cultivated a robust academic and research profile over her career, forming the bedrock of her contributions to medicine and integrative health. She serves as a Full Professor of Clinical Medicine at two prestigious institutions: the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) and the University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR). This dual role underscores her commitment to medical education and shaping future generations of healthcare professionals. Moreover, her over 30 years of experience in hematology and oncology provide her with profound clinical insights, particularly in complex patient care scenarios.
Her advanced academic qualifications include:
- A PhD in Pharmacology from the Federal University of Ceará (UFC). This doctoral training equipped her with a deep understanding of drug actions and research methodologies, crucial for evidence-based practice.
- A postdoctoral degree in Integrative Medicine from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP). This specialization highlights her formal commitment to bridging conventional medicine with complementary approaches.
- Additional training from the University of Arizona (USA), a renowned center for integrative medicine. This international experience broadened her perspectives and connected her with global leaders in the field.
This comprehensive educational journey allows Paola Tôrres to approach medical challenges with a uniquely integrated and well-researched perspective.
Pioneering Integrative Medicine in Practice
A significant aspect of Dr. Tôrres’s career is her pioneering work in establishing and leading institutions dedicated to integrative medicine. She is the founder and president of Instituto Roda da Vida. This center is dedicated to Integrative Medicine and, importantly, has achieved official recognition from Brazil’s National Registry of Health Establishments (CNES) and the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM). Such recognition is a testament to the institute’s adherence to national standards and its significant role in the healthcare landscape.
Instituto Roda da Vida, under the leadership of Paola Tôrres, serves as a model for integrating diverse therapeutic approaches into patient care. Consequently, it promotes a holistic vision of health that addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of individuals. The institute’s work reflects Dr. Tôrres’s dedication to making integrative practices more accessible and credible within the Brazilian healthcare system. This endeavor involves not only clinical practice but also community engagement and education, furthering the understanding and acceptance of integrative approaches.
Leadership in Advancing Integrative Oncology with Paola Tôrres
Dr. Tôrres extends her expertise in integrative medicine to the challenging field of cancer care. She serves as the Coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Committee at the Brazilian Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (CABSIN). In this vital role, she actively promotes the incorporation of integrative practices in cancer treatment and support. This involves advocating for evidence-informed complementary therapies that can improve patients’ quality of life, manage side effects, and support their overall well-being alongside conventional oncology treatments.
Her work with CABSIN is crucial for developing guidelines, fostering research, and educating healthcare professionals about the benefits and applications of integrative oncology. Therefore, Paola Tôrres plays a key part in shaping a more comprehensive and patient-centered approach to cancer care in Brazil. This leadership reflects a deep understanding of the needs of cancer patients and the potential of integrative strategies to meet those needs more effectively. Through CABSIN, her efforts contribute to national dialogues and policy considerations regarding TCIM in oncology.
Bridging Science and Art for Health Education
One of the most distinctive features of Dr. Paola Tôrres’s professional identity is her ability to blend rigorous science with the expressive power of popular art. She is the author of 15 published books, a remarkable achievement in itself. Most of these publications are strategically focused on health education, targeting both patients and primary care physicians. This focus demonstrates her commitment to empowering individuals with knowledge and improving health literacy across different segments of the population.
As a writer, cordel poet (a traditional Brazilian form of narrative poetry), and composer, Paola Tôrres transforms complex medical information into accessible and engaging formats. This unique approach helps to humanize medical knowledge, making it less intimidating and more relatable to the broader public. Consequently, her work fosters a deeper understanding of health and disease, encouraging proactive health behaviors and strengthening the patient-physician relationship. This creative integration of art and science is central to her mission of promoting culturally grounded and humanized care, ensuring that health communication resonates effectively with diverse audiences. The work of Paola Tôrres in this area is a powerful example of innovative health promotion.
Access Paola Tôrres’s full list of publications and contributions via ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8765-0118