One of the most talked about topics in the last two years has been health, not only because of the experience of a pandemic, but also because of all the repercussions upon various areas of physical and mental health, impacting not only patients, but also those who care for them, professionals working in a wide range of fields. In light of this scenario, the New Acropolis International Organization, with a Centre in Natal, recognized the need to address these issues to commemorate World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, a date established by the WHO (World Health Organization) in 1948.

For this reason, an exhibition was installed in one of the main shopping centers of the capital of Potiguar, which retraced the trajectory of eight professionals who have marked world history for their dedication, courage and effort in the search for the improvement of treatment techniques, in the discovery of cures and in the humanization of services, although on many occasions this occurred during complex historical periods.

Among the idealists who were part of the exhibition is Florence Nightingale, an Italian woman from a wealthy family, born in 1820, who preferred to break with the social standards of the time to dedicate herself to what she believed was her vocation, nursing. Considered the founder of modern nursing, she served during the Crimean War, becoming known as a pioneer in the treatment of the wounded in battle.

Another outstanding name was the Brazilian Aloysio Campos da Paz Júnior, founding physician of the Sarah network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, which is a world reference. In his training, he sought to have the entire team work in favor of the patient and said that his goal was to “turn doctors and surgeons into human beings.” In addition to these names, visitors to the exhibition also learned about the history of Carlos Chagas, Albert Schweitzer, Cicely Saunders, Arnaldo de Vilanova, Philippus Aureolus Theophastus Bomnastus von Hohenheim (Paracelsus) and Zilda Arns.

“We see the need to talk about health, to bring to light something that is urgent, to humanize the whole process of health care,” recalls the person in charge of the exhibition, New Acropolis volunteer professor and pediatrician, Jessica Medeiros. “Great names that impacted health throughout the history of mankind had something in common, the strong ideas that guided their actions, they made a difference by serving others, dedicating themselves without worrying about personal gain,” she emphasized.

In addition to the exhibition, volunteer Jéssica Medeiros also gave the lecture, “How to recover idealism in health?”, which sought to unite the purpose of medicine with the ideas developed in philosophy. The entire program was free and open to the public.