BIOGRAPHICAL RESUME
Name: Adriana Pereira
Date of Birth: August 25, 1963
Place of Birth: Bemposta – Mogadouro, Bragança, Portugal
Nationality: Portuguese and Dutch
Academic Degrees: PhD in Biomedical Sciences (researcher and specialist in breastfeeding), Master’s in Nursing Sciences – Pediatrics, Bachelor’s in Child and Pediatric Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing.
Hospital Career
Began her hospital career as a Nurse in a public hospital in Portugal (1985–1998), spending nearly the entire period working with mothers/fathers, babies, and children. Held positions as Staff Nurse, Graduate Nurse, Specialist Nurse, Coordinator of the Pediatric Department team, provided specialized care, was responsible for in-service training, integrated new nurses, mentored students, and other roles.
Teaching Career
Joined academia from 1998 to 2008. Started as Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal (1998–2000). Worked as Visiting Associate Professor at the Cooperative for Higher Polytechnic and University Education, Gandra, Portugal (2000–2003). Served as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto, Portugal (2003–2008). At this university, she was responsible for the course “Research Methods and Techniques in Health Sciences”; Coordinator of final theses in Nursing programs; member of the Nursing Course Coordination; created a Master’s program in Social Pediatrics and two doctoral curricula — one in Pediatric Nursing Sciences and another in Obstetric Nursing Sciences. Organized and taught multiple WHO/UNICEF breastfeeding courses integrated into the national training program for implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).
Founding Member of the Committee for Promotion, Protection, and Support of Breastfeeding in Portugal (working group of the Directorate-General of Health). Coordinated this committee from its inception (Dec 2005 to Dec 2006).
Author of several scientific books.
Published over a dozen scientific articles in national and international journals.
Participated in over 100 scientific events (conferences, congresses, seminars) in the health field.
Delivered over 50 national and international lectures on breastfeeding.
Training Courses: Taught 13 WHO/UNICEF Breastfeeding Counseling courses (40 hours) at UFP-Porto and other cities; collaborated on 6 WHO/UNICEF Breastfeeding Promoter courses (20 hours) at Júlio Dinis Maternity Hospital, Porto; collaborated in organizing 1 WHO/UNICEF Breastfeeding Trainer course (80 hours) in Algarve, Portugal.
Other breastfeeding courses completed: WHO/UNICEF Breastfeeding Trainer course (80 hours), Lisbon; Clinical Management of Breastfeeding (20 hours) under the IHAC program, São Paulo, Brazil; Humanized Birth course (8 hours) integrated into VIII ENAM, Cuiabá, Brazil; course on implementing a Human Milk Bank service, São Paulo, Brazil; Continuing Education course for Health Professionals – Breastfeeding: Promotion, Culture, Counseling (12 hours), Bilbao, Spain.
Research Career
Joined the interdisciplinary research unit (UFP Research Unit in Energy, Environment, and Health) at UFP.
2006–07 – Pereira M.A. et al. Breastfeeding: Knowledge of the academic community at the Faculty of Health Sciences, UFP. Porto.
2004 – Pereira M.A. Breastfeeding: Establishment and prolongation of breastfeeding. Interventions for its success. PhD thesis. Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto. Conducted an experimental study aiming to determine whether babies who latch correctly breastfeed better and longer. The study showed statistically significant differences: babies with correct latching breastfed better and longer, whether exclusively or mixed-fed. Of the correct-latch group, 37% crawled spontaneously from their mother’s abdomen to the breast and began nursing — as shown in this WHO film. This behavior is normal for most healthy full-term babies when provided the conditions of this study. For breastfeeding success, health professionals must not deprive babies of expressing/enjoying the 50 reflexes they are born with — about 20 of which participate in breastfeeding. This study showed correct latching is the second most important condition for successful breastfeeding, with the sine qua non being the mother’s desire to breastfeed. This study won an international award.
2000 – Pereira M.A. Adolescent mother and breastfeeding: A sample from Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro. Master’s dissertation. Faculty of Medicine, São João Hospital, University of Porto.
1993 – Pereira M.A. Child nutrition during the first year of life and psychomotor development. Monograph. Dr. Ângelo da Fonseca School of Nursing, University of Coimbra.
Since 2008, resides in the Netherlands, returning periodically to Portugal to implement the Breastfeeding-Friendly Pharmacy project — an initiative of the Italian association Il Melograno, for which she is responsible, coordinator, and course director.
For over ten years, she has provided breastfeeding counseling to pregnant women and lactating mothers to resolve problems and ensure successful breastfeeding. Also collaborates, upon request, with Portuguese health professionals and Dutch pediatricians to resolve specific breastfeeding issues. Currently developing a prenatal and postnatal breastfeeding consultation program — to be announced soon.
Coordinated the organization of five national breastfeeding events featuring internationally renowned speaker Dr. Marcus Renato de Carvalho, with collaboration from Dr. Cristina Pincho and host institutions.
For more information, continue reading...
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
Academic Year 2003–2008
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, UFP, Porto.
Main activities and responsibilities:
- Responsible for coordinating and teaching the course: Research Methods and Techniques in Health Sciences (taught in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years of the Nursing program).
- Member of the Scientific Coordination of the Nursing Bachelor’s program.
- Member of the Curriculum and Scientific Councils.
- Coordinator of final theses in Nursing at UFP (Porto, Ponte de Lima, and Canary Islands).
- Scientific advisor for dozens of theses and one doctoral dissertation. Served on 52 thesis juries: as main examiner (7), panel member (20), and president (25); served on 1 master’s dissertation jury as main examiner; served on 1 doctoral thesis jury as main examiner.
- Created the Master’s program in Social Pediatrics (postgraduate leading to Master’s degree). Coordinator of this program.
- Created doctoral curricula in Pediatric Nursing Sciences and Obstetric Nursing Sciences.
- Founding Member of the Committee for Promotion, Protection, and Support of Breastfeeding in Portugal (working group of the Directorate-General of Health). Coordinated this committee from its inception (Dec 2005 to Dec 2006).
- Technical reviewer for Revista Referência em Enfermagem (Scientific Journal of the Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing Domain), Coimbra.
- Technical reviewer for the book: Mannel R; Martens JP; Walker M. Practical Manual for Lactation Consultants. ILCA, Lusociência, 2nd edition, 2011.
Academic Year 2002/03 and 2001/02
Visiting Associate Professor, Cooperative for Higher Polytechnic and University Education.
Responsible for coordinating and teaching Research Methods and Techniques in Health Sciences (1st–4th years of Nursing program) and Research Project for the Nursing Continuing Education course.
Academic Year 1999/00 and 1998/99
Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, UTAD, Vila Real.
Co-responsible for coordinating the 1st year of the Nursing program. Taught components of: Fundamentals of Nursing; Nursing Care for Meeting Activities of Daily Living: Safe Environment; Nursing Care for Children with Medical and Surgical Pathologies.
December 1985 – May 1998
Hospital Career – Lamego District Hospital
Specialist Nurse, Coordinator of the Pediatric Department, roles according to Decree-Law 437/91 of 8-11 (1993–98); Graduate Nurse roles according to DL 437/91 of 8-11 (1987–93); and Nurse roles according to applicable legislation (1988–85).
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
January 2001 – June 2005
PhD in Biomedical Sciences
Thesis: Breastfeeding: Establishment and prolongation of breastfeeding. Interventions for its success. At the Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto.
Competencies in Breastfeeding and Scientific Research.
January 1998 – May 2000
Master’s in Nursing Sciences – Pediatrics
Master’s dissertation: Adolescent mother and breastfeeding: A sample from Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro. Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto.
May 1991 – December 1993
Specialization Course in Child and Pediatric Nursing (Certificate No. 20982 equivalent to Bachelor’s in Nursing)
Monograph: Child nutrition during the first year of life and psychomotor development. Dr. Ângelo da Fonseca School of Nursing, University of Coimbra.
January 1982 – December 1985
General Nursing Course (Certificate No. 20982 equivalent to Associate Degree in Nursing). Bragança School of Nursing, IPB, Bragança.
Additional Training
Courses completed nationally and internationally in Breastfeeding:
- 2005 – WHO/UNICEF Breastfeeding Trainer Course (80 hours). Lisbon School of Health, Nova University.
- 2003 – Clinical Management of Breastfeeding (20 hours) under IHAC program, São Paulo, Brazil.
- 2003 – Humanized Birth Course (8 hours) integrated into VIII ENAM, Cuiabá, Brazil.
- 2003 – Course on implementing a Human Milk Bank service, integrated into a guided tour of the Human Milk Bank at Leonor Mendes de Barros Maternity Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil.
- 2002 – Continuing Education for Health Professionals – Breastfeeding: Promotion, Culture, Counseling (12 hours). Bilbao, Spain.
Additional Information
Courses 2006–2013
Taught 13 WHO/UNICEF Breastfeeding Counseling courses (40 hours) at UFP, Porto, and other cities.
Collaborated on 6 WHO/UNICEF Breastfeeding Promoter courses (20 hours) at Júlio Dinis Maternity Hospital, Porto.
Collaborated in organizing 1 WHO/UNICEF Breastfeeding Trainer course (80 hours), Algarve, Portugal.
Completed 1 Infant Massage course, Portuguese Association of Infant Massage, Braga, Portugal.
National and International Conferences
- 04/03/2016 – Presentation of the National Breastfeeding-Friendly Pharmacy Project, an initiative of the Italian association Il Melograno.
- 24/05/2016 – Correct latching and Suzanne Colson’s principles for more relaxed breastfeeding. ULS Matosinhos.
- 21/10/2015 – Presentation of the Breastfeeding-Friendly Pharmacy project. Seminar: Breastfeeding as an interdisciplinary issue. SMAM, ESE, Vila Real.
- 17/10/2015 – Presentation of the Breastfeeding-Friendly Pharmacy project. Conference: Breastfeeding – Scientific Foundations. SMAM, ULS Matosinhos.
- 14/10/2014 – Breastfeeding. USF, Alto da Maia.
- 02/10/2012 – Welcoming World Breastfeeding Week. Conference: Controversies in Breastfeeding, Dr. Jack Newman. UFP, Porto.
- 06/03/2010 – Meeting of breastfeeding counselors. UFP, Porto.
- 05–07/03/09 – Influence of correct latching during the first feed on breastfeeding success in the first year of life. V Spanish Breastfeeding Congress, IHAN, Murcia, Spain.
- 15/01/09 – The Indigo Child and the Perspective of Social Pediatrics. Book launch: Indigo Children: New Pedagogical Attitudes. UFP, Porto.
- 08/10/07 – Breastfeeding within the first hour of life saves one million babies. Importance of health service practices. Rosa Mota, Portugal’s Ambassador for Breastfeeding. SMAM, UFP, Porto.
- 08/10/07 – Breastfeeding within the first hour of life saves one million babies. Importance of health service practices. SMAM, São Marcos Hospital, Braga.
- 11/09/07 – Promoting implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). Júlio Dinis Maternity Hospital, Porto.
- 19/07/07 – Breastfeeding: Its importance concerns everyone — know why. Quinta da Bonjoia, Porto.
- 14/03/07 – Breastfeeding: Standardizing concepts and practices according to WHO/UNICEF; BFHI: 10 Steps to Success. Viana do Castelo Hospital Center.
- 09/02/07 – Importance of correct latching for breastfeeding success. Maternal Health Nursing Days, São Marcos Hospital, Braga.
- 08/02/07 – Importance of correct latching for breastfeeding success. “Baby’s Friend” Nursing Days, ULS Matosinhos.
- 25/07/06 – Standardizing concepts and practices in breastfeeding according to WHO/UNICEF. UFP, Porto.
- 01/08/06 – Breastfeeding as a way to promote and protect citizens’ health. 2-hour session during World Breastfeeding Week, SMAM, Padre Américo Hospital, E.P.E.
- 02/08/06 – Breastfeeding as a way to promote and protect citizens’ health. 2 hours. Alto Minho Hospital Center, Viana Sub-Region Health. SMAM, ESSE Viana Castelo.
- 02/08/06 – Breastfeeding as a way to promote and protect citizens’ health. 2 hours. São Marcos Hospital, SMAM, São Marcos Hospital, Braga.
- 03/08/06 – Breastfeeding as a way to promote and protect citizens’ health. 2 hours. Northeast Hospital Center. SMAM, Bragança School of Health.
- 09–10/03/06 – Breastfeeding: Establishment and prolongation of breastfeeding. Interventions for success, from research to practice. Maternal and Obstetric Health Meeting. ESESJ, Porto.
- 18/03/06 – Balance through nutrition from birth: Breastfeeding. Equilibria Symposium. UFP, Porto.
- 18/05/06 – Breastfeeding: Parental education during prenatal period. IX Human Motor Skills Meeting, UFP Ponte de Lima.
- 19/05/06 – How breastfeeding works: Breast anatomy, lactation physiology, and latching. Sensitization course on Kangaroo Method and Breastfeeding. Setúbal Hospital.
- 20/05/06 – Breastfeeding in special situations. Sensitization course on Kangaroo Method and Breastfeeding. Setúbal Hospital.
- 24/05/06 – Lactation Physiology. Level II. I Meeting of Breastfeeding Counselors. Mamamater Association, Cascais.
- 07/12/05 – Conference: Breastfeeding Counseling. Pré-Natal S.A., Porto.
- 11–12/03/05 – Breastfeeding: Challenges for Nurses, Padre Américo Hospital, E.P.E.
- 12–13/03/04 – Breastfeeding: Results of an experimental study, Padre Américo Hospital, E.P.E.
- 08–11/11/03 – Poster on the importance of correct latching for breastfeeding success: results of an experimental study. VIII ENAM, Cuiabá, Brazil.
- 16/11/02 – Pereira M.A. Adolescent Mother: Breastfeeding, a sample from Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Seville, Spain.
- 29/10/02 – Pereira M.A. Breastfeeding, 4 hours, Padre Américo Hospital, E.P.E.
- 22/10/02 – Pereira M.A. Interventions for breastfeeding success, 4 hours, ULS Matosinhos.
- 21/05/02 – Pereira M.A. Breastfeeding in pharmacy practice, 4 hours, COFANOR, Porto.
- 22/04/02 – Pereira M.A., Silva D. Breastfeeding in pharmacy practice, 4 hours, COFANOR, Porto.
- 08/06/01 – Pereira M.A. Breastfeeding; 2 hours, Padre Américo Hospital, E.P.E.
- 18/04/01 – Pereira M.A. Planned and organized a training session: Promotion of Breastfeeding, Padre Américo Hospital, E.P.E.
- 03/11/00 – Pereira M.A. Breastfeeding and controversies, II Neonatal Nursing Days, São João Hospital, Porto, 2 hours.