Dr. Ana Almeida, a Medical Consultant trained by the Saint Paul VI Institute Education Program, is contributing to the expansion of life-affirming women’s health care from Omaha to Portugal, showcasing the global impact of your support!
From Santarém, Portugal, Dr. Almeida, a family medicine specialist, serves a diverse patient base at Saint Dominic’s Health Care Unit. During her residency, she faced a mandate to prescribe contraceptives but sought alternatives, which led her to the NaProTechnology program. Now pursuing dual certification to practice and teach the Creighton Model FertilityCare System, she aims to empower her patients with effective solutions that address the root causes of infertility.
Dr. Almeida’s passion for NaProTechnology was ignited in medical school through guidance from her spiritual director. By applying these methods to understand her own cycle, she strengthened her dedication to family medicine. “Understanding our body aligns us with our Creator’s design,” she shares, viewing the reproductive cycle as a profound gift. One of her patients, a father of two, remarked, “Learning about my wife’s cycle deepened my appreciation for our family’s purpose.”
In Portugal, there is increasing interest in natural methods among those concerned about contraception’s side effects or seeking alternatives to IVF. However, some colleagues remain skeptical, often perceiving these approaches as outdated. Dr. Almeida is working to establish partnerships that support the integration of NaProTechnology into medical education, demonstrating that these natural methods offer scientifically valid and healthier alternatives to the artificial solutions found in mainstream medicine.