As part of our ongoing series to introduce the new EWMA Council members, we are thrilled to feature Tânia Santos. Bringing years of experience in wound care and a deep commitment to education and research, Tânia shares her journey and insights on wound management.
About Tânia Santos
Tânia Santos serves as a Community Nurse in Albufeira and is a Board member of ELCOS, also cooperating with the Investigation Center of the Lisbon Nursing School. Her role involves both clinical practice and significant contributions to wound care research and education.
How Did Tânia Start Working in Wound Care?
Tânia began her career as a nurse at a University Hospital in Lisbon in 2004. She quickly realized her knowledge in wound dressing and management was limited, a realisation that prompted her to pursue further education.
“Although we had a lot of new materials, my colleagues and I knew little about them,”
Tânia recalls.
This led her to complete her postgraduate studies in wound management in 2006. Through her studies, she met a group of dedicated professionals, which led to the founding of ELCOS in 2009. Since then, she has been actively involved in education and research in wound care.
Encountering EWMA
Tânia has been a member of EWMA since completing her postgraduate studies in 2006 and played an active role in the EWMA conference held in Lisbon in 2008. Her early involvement in EWMA helped shape her understanding and commitment to advancing wound care.
Joining the EWMA Council
Tânia’s decision to join the EWMA Council was driven by her belief in the power of shared knowledge and collaboration.
“I believe that by sharing what I’ve learned over the years and contributing to new knowledge opportunities, I can be an asset to the EWMA working groups,”
she states.
Her experience and expertise are valuable assets in her new role.
The Strength of EWMA
Tânia believes that the strength of an association like EWMA lies in its ability to unify and disseminate knowledge on complex wound healing processes.
“As wound healing is a complex, dynamic process requiring a myriad of tightly coordinated cellular events, EWMA’s role in aggregating and spreading knowledge as well as best practices is crucial,”
she explains.
Future Challenges and Opportunities in Wound Care
Reflecting on the future of wound care, Tânia notes the significant improvements over the past five decades but acknowledges that the incidence and burden of wounds remain major healthcare concerns.
“Unfortunately, one of the major barriers to effective management seems to be the lack of deeper knowledge among many professionals,”
she observes.
Tânia advocates for a nuanced understanding of both clinical and commercial considerations in wound healing strategies, emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity and bridging translation gaps.
“Continued innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for improving wound care outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for the wounded population,”
she concludes.
This article is part of a series where we introduce our four new Council Members.
Read the other articles in the series to learn more about Alison Hopkins, Viviana Gonçalves and Hakan Uncu:
