"The decision to study medicine is, above all, a commitment to others—to the patient, to the community, to society. It is a choice that honors science and humanism" . This is how Rui Maio, clinical director of Hospital da Luz Lisboa, shared his experience and knowledge with the new students of the Faculty of Medicine of the Catholic University of Portugal. At the welcoming ceremony for first-year students at Católica Medical School, held on September 9th at Hospital da Luz Lisboa and presided over by him, Rui Maio delivered an impressive and memorable message that left none of the future doctors indifferent: "Today is a day of celebration. It marks not only your entry into higher education, but the first step on a demanding and transformative journey that will lead you to learn, grow, and become doctors. The decision to pursue medicine is, above all, a commitment to others—to the patient, to the community, to society" . Explaining the role of Hospital da Luz as a teaching hospital, the clinical director said: "In a teaching hospital like ours, you will have the unique opportunity to learn from doctors, nurses, researchers, technicians, and so many other professionals who, every day, dedicate themselves to the common mission of caring, treating, and teaching. This will soon be your home, too." He added: "The medicine you will encounter is not just made of books and protocols. It is made of people. Of life stories, of suffering and hope, of successes and limitations. It is made of the doctor-patient relationship, which remains the essential core of our profession” , reinforcing: “Never forget this: behind every diagnosis, there is always a person who trusts us” . He then spoke of the personal and professional challenges that all future doctors face: “We know that the coming years will be intense. There will be days when you will feel overwhelmed with subjects, exams, and responsibilities. There will be moments of doubt. But there will also be unforgettable achievements: the first contact with a patient, the first time you hear a heartbeat with a stethoscope, the first time you realize you were able to help, even if only with a word or gesture. These experiences will stay with you forever” . He emphasized the most important of these challenges with this: “Your journey will be guided by two complementary forces: science and ethics. Science demands rigor, constant study, and a critical mind. Ethics demands respect, empathy, and humility. Neither can exist without the other. A good doctor is one who knows how to apply scientific knowledge competently, but also with humanity” . At Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Rui Maio added, medicine is evolving at the speed of today’s times: “Personalized therapies, artificial intelligence, robotic surgery, regenerative medicine. It’s fascinating, and it will be part of your future. But don’t forget that no technology can replace attentive listening, a human perspective, and compassion,” he emphasized, also speaking of the “value of teamwork”: “Medicine is no longer a solitary practice. The best results come from multidisciplinary collaboration. Learn from your professors, but also from nurses, technicians, assistants, and researchers. Each one has a fundamental role in patient care” . In closing, he offered this advice: “Don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Cultivate friendships, nurture curiosity, ask questions, learn from your mistakes. Keep an open mind and an open heart.” He concluded by saying: "May you find in this home a space for knowledge, sharing, and personal growth. Count on us to support you on this journey" . The welcome session for new students at Católica Medical School also featured the Dean of the School, António Medina de Almeida, who accompanied Rui Maio in the opening address. This was followed by a brief presentation on Digital Health by Dr. Betânia Ferreira, Clinical Director of Hospital da Luz Digital. The students then visited the Hospital da Luz Learning Health Simulation Center and were challenged by the Training and Simulation, Innovation, and Research teams to participate in some practical and interactive sessions using the center's simulation equipment. The Hospital da Luz Clinical Simulation Center is a state-of-the-art facility, one of the largest in Europe and the largest in Portugal, located in the new Hospital da Luz Lisboa building, spanning 1,300 m2. This simulation hospital aims to meet the practical training needs of various medical specialties, nursing professionals, and other healthcare professionals. It is also a space for research and innovation, essential for the study, design, development, and testing of new ideas and solutions. The future doctors had the opportunity to experience different simulated clinical settings, and everyone agreed: it was an afternoon of excitement and discovery, in an environment in which they will work and learn throughout their future medical studies.
