The Day of the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon was once more celebrated on 11 May. It was an “(…) opportunity for reflection, celebration and tribute (…)” Professor Fernandes e Fernandes.

The celebrations started with the inauguration of the José Francisco David Ferreira Auditorium, named after one of the most influential professors in the field of Cell and Developmental Biology in Portugal. The inauguration was made by the Director of FMUL, Professor José Fernandes e Fernandes, who spoke a few words of tribute to the professor. Professor Maria do Carmo Fonseca, Executive Director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine, made a dedication to the person she considers to have been her master teacher.

The opening session started with the usual Speech by the Director of FMUL, who stressed the importance of the priority objective of the Faculty: “(…) teach the medical profession, educate through Science and Culture, foster knowledge and innovation through Research, and train free men and women able to contribute usefully to the development of their country” (…). He recalled that the period in which we live today is “(…) a period of transformation and change, generating enthusiasm, motivation, and a deep sense of responsibility (…)”.Again, in his speech he reinforced his view about the merger between the Classical University and the Technical University of Lisbon, a merger that is “(…) a challenge and an opportunity we cannot afford to waste (…)”.

This day also marked the signing of two additional Protocols: the Cooperation Protocol between the CAML – Academic Medical Centre of Lisbon and the IPOL – Portuguese Oncology Institute Francisco Gentil, and the Association Protocol between CAML – Academic Medical Centre of Lisbon and HPP Saúde – Parcerias Cascais SA.

The guest speaker for this session was  Professor Paolo Macchiarini, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, who gave a talk on the topic “Stem cells based bioartificial intrathoracic tissues and organs”. As the world leader in Regenerative Medicine and Transplantation, his presentation showed the advance of medical science in this field.

This was followed by the usual tribute to employees of the Faculty, and by the handing of Jubilee Medals to three professors who retired in the year 2010/2011, Professor Virgílio Durão, Professor Paulo Ramalho and Professor Alexandre Ribeiro.

The ceremony ended with a tribute to the memory of Professor João Pedro Miller Guerra as part of the celebrations of the centenary of his birth. There were speeches by Professor João Lobo Antunes and Professor Miguel Oliveira da Silva, and the special participation of Doctor Francisco Pinto Balsemão and Doctor Mário Soares. Before an audience of relatives of Professor Miller Guerra, the final homage was made by his son, Father Gonçalo Miller Guerra.

The closing speech was delivered by the Rector of the University of Lisbon, Professor António Sampaio da Nóvoa

Editorial Team
news@fm.ul.pt