From school to global impact: an international journey

When Tiago Santos first walked through the glass corridors of the Champalimaud Foundation (CF) in 2014, he already had two years of nursing experience, but none in urology or oncology. “Deep down, one could say I started a new chapter of my career here,” he admits with a wry smile. Indeed, stepping into a nearly empty unit with no reference guides, protocols, or precedents might have made most people run for the hills. But not Tiago. For him, the emptiness was an invitation: a white canvas on which to paint the future of urology nursing at CF.

“I remember the fascination of the first day: the light, the glass bridge between buildings, the laboratories bathed in sunshine,” he recalls. While most newcomers might have been intimidated by the sparse waiting rooms and a team still finding its feet, Tiago saw possibility. He was ready to be a pioneer. And pioneer he did: together with his team, he built from scratch the urology nursing unit that is now a cornerstone of patient care at CF.

This wasn’t just a matter of showing up and doing the work. Tiago had to learn fast, adapt constantly, and stay humble in the face of numerous trials. “The biggest challenge was arriving with no experience in urology and having no reference person to guide me,” he explains. “I had to study, innovate, and essentially teach myself, and others, how to run this unit effectively.”

The journey from early career nurse to expert wasn’t without its lighter moments. At one point, his colleagues nicknamed him “the nurse of the bows,” after an unforgettable episode with a bladder catheter, some lubricating gel, and one very carefully knotted compress. “One patient even called CF, asking how to redo the bow I had tied earlier. My colleague couldn’t stop laughing when she heard it,” he recalls with a grin. It’s a gentle reminder that, even in the most serious medical settings, humour can be an essential companion.

Beyond the laughs, Tiago’s work has a profound global resonance. Observing urology nursing practices abroad, he realised that while Portugal lacked formal specialty recognition, European colleagues had well-structured, highly respected roles in urology nursing. The challenge, then, was not only to excel nationally but also to bridge this gap. “We work to approximate our reality to the European standard, despite not having a formal specialty in Portugal,” he says.

Over the years, Tiago’s dedication has opened doors internationally. He became the first Portuguese member of the Executive Council of the European Association of Urology Nurses, a testament to his expertise and the high standard of care developed at CF. His unit has earned recognition for its nursing research, winning international awards and setting an example for other Portuguese institutions.

What sets the Foundation apart, according to Tiago, is its culture of freedom and innovation. “We are allowed to implement projects and experiment with new approaches to patient care,” he explains. “This is what motivates us to do things differently every day.” It’s an environment that blends humanism with cutting-edge medical science, ensuring that as the clinic integrates robotic surgery, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, the heart of patient care, the human touch, remains intact.

Tiago’s vision for the future is ambitious. He hopes to see nurse-led clinics become a reality in Portugal, giving nurses the central role in managing patient care and chronic conditions. He draws inspiration from international colleagues and aims to foster greater collaboration between Portuguese nurses and the wider European community. “The goal is to demonstrate that nursing should be specialised, recognised, and impactful, both nationally and internationally,” he says.

Yet, even with global recognition, Tiago remains grounded. He cherishes the unity and team spirit that runs through CF, describing it as “like wearing a jersey, you’re part of a team, and that hasn’t changed despite our growth.” For him, the real reward is in daily interactions with colleagues, patients and families, as well as the small victories.

Tiago’s story reminds us that growth often comes from embracing challenge and uncertainty. “From the beginning, we had nothing,” he reflects, “so we had to build, learn, and adapt constantly. That challenge opened doors to opportunities I could never have imagined.”

From a fresh-faced nurse stepping into an empty unit to a respected voice in international urology nursing, Tiago and his team have shown that resilience, humility, and even a well-timed sense of humor are not just personal virtues, they are the foundation for making a difference both at home and on the global stage.

Tiago Santos, Urology Nurse, Champalimaud Foundation

Text by Teresa Fernandes, Co-coordinator of the Champalimaud Foundation's Communication, Events & Outreach Team

Full 20 Years, 20 Stories Collection here.