As part of our ongoing series introducing the new EWMA Council members, we are thrilled to feature Viviana Gonçalves from Portugal. Viviana brings a wealth of experience as a Tissue Viability Nurse, specializing in the management of complex wounds in cardiothoracic surgery.
About Viviana Gonçalves
Viviana Gonçalves is a Tissue Viability Nurse at the Cardiothoracic Surgery unit of Unidade Local de Saúde de São João, Porto. She holds a Master’s degree in Nursing, with post-graduate specializations in Tissue Viability and Wound Care, and Anesthetics and Scrub Nursing. Responsible for managing complex wounds post-surgery and implementing prevention programs for surgical dehiscence, Viviana has been an active member of EWMA since 2015.
How Did Viviana Start Working in Wound Care?
Viviana began her career in wound care in 2013, soon after starting as a nurse. The challenges and complexities of wound management sparked her interest in specializing further, leading to a focused career in tissue viability.
Encountering EWMA
Viviana’s introduction to EWMA dates back to her days as a nursing student.
“My final work as a student was about the TIME algorithm, which utilized some documents from EWMA,” she recalls.
This early exposure to EWMA’s extensive resources solidified her interest and involvement in the field.
Joining the EWMA Council
Driven by a commitment to enrich the field of wound care, Viviana sought a position on the EWMA Council.
“I think that I can contribute to the construction of knowledge in wound care, and being on this council can help to achieve this goal,” she explains.
Her experience and insights are invaluable in fostering global advancements in wound care practices.
The Strength of EWMA
Viviana views EWMA as a pivotal global reference, crucial for its contributions to the field through its members, publications, and influence on professional practices and health policies.
“EWMA helps professionals in wound care to adopt better practices securely, thereby improving the quality of life for patients,” she affirms.
Future Challenges and Opportunities in Wound Care
Looking ahead, Viviana identifies regenerative medicine as the next step in wound care, with the prevention of certain types of wounds and regulatory challenges as key focus areas. She emphasizes the importance of EWMA’s role in shaping policies and practices:
“EWMA should help show that reimbursement policies and EU regulations need adaptation, and be involved in building new policies to improve the quality of life for patients with wounds,” she advocates.
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, Tânia Santos and Hakan Uncu:
