A group of students from NOVA Medical School had the opportunity to undertake a curricular internship at Mildmay Hospital in London in early 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive year that students from the institution have benefited from the partnership between the university and the hospital – a testament to the power of collaboration in enriching academic journeys and strengthening the professional preparation of future healthcare professionals.
Mildmay Hospital is a renowned rehabilitation unit in the United Kingdom, specializing in the treatment of people living with HIV, post-detox stabilization, and the rehabilitation support of individuals experiencing homelessness. During the internship, the students actively participated in various activities essential to their future professional practice. These included assessing food portions against national dietary guidelines, analyzing food waste, adapting patient food satisfaction surveys, and conducting service audits. The results of these audits could influence future practices at the hospital and may even be presented at scientific conferences.
Madalena Ribeiro, one of the participating students, expressed her enthusiasm about the experience: "Since the beginning of our dietetics course, we have heard about this internship in London, which everyone is eager to participate in. Although the testimonials from previous students have all been positive, they do not fully capture the depth of the real experience! This was my first professional experience, and I could not have chosen a better place. It allowed me to grow as a future dietitian and develop essential social and professional skills."
Leonor Almeida also highlighted the value of the collaboration between NOVA Medical School and Mildmay Hospital, emphasizing that the partnership "provides a unique learning experience, allowing students to develop new skills, grow in their field, and prepare for the challenges of the profession. Mildmay is a truly special and distinctive hospital, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an outstanding team."
For Catarina Brás, a fourth-year student, the experience was a milestone in her academic journey: "As I approach the end of my degree, being in contact with the reality of the profession is crucial. The opportunity to work alongside professionals, interact with patients, and audit clinical records significantly increased my knowledge and understanding of nutrition in a hospital context."
Margarida, another student intern, emphasized that the experience exceeded all her expectations: "I expected to gain knowledge about dietetics in the context of managing complex health conditions, particularly for patients living with HIV. However, my experience at Mildmay exceeded all expectations. I applied theoretical knowledge, learned practical skills, and witnessed firsthand the power of multidisciplinary collaboration in patient care."
Lucileine Santos shared a similar opinion, considering the internship a decisive moment in her academic and professional journey: "The contact with patients, the integration into a multidisciplinary team, and the contribution to meaningful projects had a tremendous positive impact on my growth and reinforced my passion for clinical nutrition."
The continued success of this initiative is made possible by the dedication of Dr. Kattya Mayre-Chilton from Mildmay Hospital, who welcomes NOVA Medical School students year after year, and Professor Filomena Gomes from NOVA Medical School, whose support has been essential in ensuring the continuity of this invaluable experience. Both have played a fundamental role in bridging academic learning with the real-world challenges of healthcare.