Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel | Nursing Education | Outstanding Contribution Award

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel | Nursing Education | Outstanding Contribution Award

Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Portugal.

Maria Helena Pimentel is a distinguished Professor Coordinator at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB), Portugal, specializing in Nursing and Health Sciences. With decades of experience in academia and healthcare, she has contributed significantly to research in sociology, nursing education, and public health. Her leadership roles in the IPB, including serving as Director of the School of Health, demonstrate her commitment to advancing higher education and healthcare training.

Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel holds a Ph.D. in Sociology (2011) from the University of Minho, Portugal, with a thesis on "Lifestyle and Health: The Daily Life of Students at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança." She earned a Master’s in Nursing Sciences (1999) from the University of Porto, focusing on "Nursing Students’ Perceptions of the Profession." Additionally, she completed a Postgraduate Specialization in Child and Pediatric Health Nursing (1993) at the Coimbra School of Nursing and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (1985) from the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal.

👩‍🏫 Professional Experience

Prof. Dr. Maria Helena Pimentel is a Professor Coordinator (2012–present) at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Portugal, where she previously served as an Adjunct Professor (2000–2012) and an Assistant Professor (1993–2000). Before her academic career, she worked as a Nurse (1986–1989) at the Bragança Hospital Unit, Portugal.

🔬 Research Interests

Maria Helena Pimentel's research focuses on:

Nursing Education and Training

Public Health and Healthcare Systems

Sociology of Health and Well-being

Lifestyle and Student Health

🏆 Awards & Leadership Roles

Director of the School of Health – IPB (2009–2017)

President of the Scientific and Pedagogical Council – IPB (2009–2017)

Member of the Scientific Council of IPB (2017–Present)

International Collaborations through Erasmus Programs (Spain, France, Portugal)

📚 Selected Publications

"Consumption of Major Psychoactive Substances During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Higher Education Students", Revista de Enfermagem Referência (2023). DOI: 10.12707/RVI22031

"Local Health Unit: A Vertical Integration Model of Healthcare", Revista de Enfermagem Referência (2022). DOI: 10.12707/RV21061

"Human Work on the Frontline of the Pandemic: Socio-Health Assistance", Lex Social: Revista de Derechos Sociales (2021). DOI: 10.46661/lexsocial.5972

"Participation in Community Intervention Programs and Quality of Life: Findings from a Multicenter Study in Portugal", Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia (2020). DOI: 10.1590/1981-22562020023.190017

"Social Benefits in Portuguese Public Higher Education Over the Last Four Decades", AULA (2017). DOI: 10.14201/aula201723

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Mihaela Corina Radu | Reproductive Health | Excellence in Research 

Mrs. Mihaela Corina Radu | Reproductive Health | Excellence in Research 

Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania.

Radu Mihaela Corina is a Romanian midwifery expert and academic dedicated to improving maternal healthcare. She currently serves as an Associate University Assistant at UMF Carol Davila Bucharest, contributing to both the Department of General and Specific Nursing and the Department of Microbiology, Parasitology, and Virology. With extensive clinical experience, she is also the Head Midwife at Dr. Constantin Andreoiu County Emergency Hospital. Beyond academia, she is actively engaged in European midwifery policy, serving as a member of the Ethics Committee of the European Midwives Association and as a National Expert for Romania in an EU-funded midwifery sectoral project.

Profile

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🎓 Education

Radu Mihaela Corina has pursued an extensive academic journey in the field of medicine and midwifery. She is currently a PhD candidate in Medicine (2021 – Present) at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Romania, where she is advancing her expertise in maternal and reproductive healthcare. She holds a Master’s Degree in Medical & Public Health Management (2019 – 2021) from the same institution, graduating with a perfect 10.00 GPA, demonstrating her dedication to academic excellence and healthcare leadership. Her foundational training in midwifery was completed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery (2014 – 2018) at UMF Carol Davila, Romania, where she distinguished herself as the Class Leader, showcasing her leadership skills and commitment to the profession from the early stages of her career.

💼 Professional Experience

With a strong background in midwifery and maternal healthcare, Radu Mihaela Corina has been actively contributing to both academia and clinical practice. Since 2021, she has been serving as an Associate University Assistant at UMF Carol Davila Bucharest, where she plays a key role in training future midwives and healthcare professionals. In parallel, she holds the position of Head Midwife at Dr. Constantin Andreoiu County Emergency Hospital since 2022, overseeing maternity care and ensuring the highest standards in obstetric practice.

Her passion for maternal education led her to work as a Lecturer in Prenatal Courses at the Rhodos Proviva Family Health Education Center (2020 – 2022), where she provided essential guidance to expectant mothers. Additionally, from 2018 to 2022, she served as the Head Midwife in the Birth Block at Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Ploiesti, where she played a crucial role in labor and delivery management, ensuring safe and effective maternity care. Through these roles, she continues to make a significant impact in both education and clinical midwifery.

🔬 Research Interests

Maternal and Child Health 🏥

Midwifery Education & Practice 👶

Reproductive Health & Ethics 🧬

Medical Policy and Public Health 📊

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

2025: Member of the Ethics Committee, European Midwives Association

2024: National Expert for Romania, EU Project on Midwifery Professional Standards

2022 – Present: AMI Delegate, General Council, International Confederation of Midwives

2020 – Present: Vice President, Association of Independent Midwives, Romania

📚 Selected Publications

(2025) Validation of a Questionnaire Assessing Pregnant Women’s Perspectives on Addressing the Psychological Challenges of ChildbirthNursing Reports, 15(1):8

(2024) Predictors of Pregnant Women’s Decision to Opt for Cesarean Section in RomaniaCureus, 16(9)

(2024) Exploring Factors Influencing Pregnant Women’s Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Midwifery Care in Romania – Nursing Reports, 14(3), 1807-1818

(2024) COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination in Romania: Post-Pandemic LessonsPLoS ONE, 19(3)

(2023) Similarities in Midwifery Education, Regulation, and Practice Across EuropeEuropean Journal of Midwifery, 7(Supplement 1)