How Healthcare Innovation Fuels My Passion: A Personal Reflection

Engaging in the EIT Health conference—a dynamic platform fostering cross-border collaboration to address Europe’s biggest health challenges and accelerate healthcare innovation.

My fascination with healthcare innovation didn’t begin in a lab or a lecture—it began in the clinic. As a General Practitioner, I saw firsthand the gaps in care that patients faced every day. Whether it was a lack of access to advanced treatments or the limitations of standard protocols, I realized how much more we could achieve with the right tools and therapies.

Today, I’m inspired by how advancements in MedTech and pharmaceuticals are transforming healthcare. From gene therapies to AI-driven drug discovery, these innovations represent more than just scientific progress—they’re a promise of a healthier, more equitable future for patients worldwide.

The Early Spark: Bridging Gaps in Care

My clinical experience in Brazil shaped the way I see innovation in healthcare. Managing over 30 patients a day, I often encountered cases where traditional treatments weren’t enough. I vividly remember a patient with advanced diabetic complications—a condition that might have been prevented or better managed with tools like continuous glucose monitors or more personalized pharmaceutical therapies.

These experiences left a lasting impression on me. They sparked a question that continues to drive me: how can we combine science and technology to create solutions that truly empower patients and improve outcomes?

From Clinical Practice to Research: Where MedTech Meets Pharma

My journey into research allowed me to explore these questions on a deeper level. During my Ph.D. in regenerative medicine, I worked on developing cell-based therapies for ocular surface reconstruction and preparing amniotic membrane transplants for treating non-healing wounds of the skin and eyes. These experiences taught me the intricate balance between MedTech and pharmaceuticals—how they complement each other to create effective, comprehensive solutions.

Exploring innovative limbus removal techniques on a human cornea for ocular research.

Holding a fibrin gel scaffold with cultured oral mucosa cells for advanced therapies.

Preparing amniotic membrane transplants—a vital step in regenerative medicine.

This interplay became even clearer during my time at MEBSTER, a MedTech startup focused on exoskeleton technology for individuals with lower-limb paralysis. Our work at MEBSTER wasn’t just about developing a device—it was about restoring dignity, independence, and mobility to people whose conditions had drastically altered their lives.

Showcasing innovation in action: The MEBSTER team, me (while Clinical Marketing Coordinator), CEO, a UNILEXA user, and CSO, demonstrating the transformative potential of exoskeleton technology to restore mobility and independence.

The importance of this cause resonated deeply with me. It reinforced the idea that true innovation addresses both the physical and emotional needs of patients, making their lives not just livable but fulfilling.

Pharmaceutical Innovations That Inspire Me

Pharmaceutical advancements have always fascinated me, especially in how they address unmet needs and transform lives. Some of the most inspiring examples include:

• AI in Drug Discovery: AstraZeneca’s use of AI to accelerate clinical trials and improve drug development is revolutionizing the way we approach healthcare challenges.

• Gene Therapy: Novartis’ Zolgensma, a one-time gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, is redefining what’s possible in treating rare diseases.

• Precision Medicine: Roche’s targeted oncology therapies exemplify how tailoring treatments to individual genetic profiles can improve outcomes and reduce side effects.

These breakthroughs aren’t just scientific milestones—they’re lifelines for patients facing life-altering conditions. They resonate deeply with my desire to be part of a field that turns challenges into opportunities.

Why Innovation Matters: Lessons from My Journey

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that innovation in healthcare isn’t just about new technologies—it’s about the people they serve. Whether it’s a groundbreaking drug, a wearable device, or an exoskeleton, the ultimate goal is to make healthcare more accessible, effective, and personalized.

During my Ph.D., I worked on over 100 amniotic membranes for therapeutic use, each one representing hope for patients with non-healing wounds. My time at MEBSTER deepened this understanding, showing me how MedTech innovations can restore more than just physical function—they can restore confidence, autonomy, and dignity.

These experiences reinforced my belief that every step forward in science, no matter how small, can make a profound difference in someone’s life.

Why This Drives Me

What inspires me most about these advancements is their potential to create a fairer, healthier world. They remind me of why I chose this path in the first place: to be part of a movement that not only cures diseases but also empowers patients and redefines what’s possible in healthcare.

Every breakthrough, whether in MedTech or pharmaceuticals, is a step toward a future where no patient is left behind. That’s the kind of future I want to help build.

Final Thoughts

My journey has taken me from the bedside to the lab, to the exciting world of MedTech innovation, and now to a place where I dream of contributing to the next wave of healthcare advancements. Whether it’s through precision medicine, AI, or groundbreaking devices, I’m driven by the idea that science and technology can create solutions that truly transform lives.

Healthcare is at an exciting crossroads, and I’m inspired by the companies and innovators leading the change. For me, this isn’t just a career—it’s a purpose. And I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.