Priscila Cunha Santos
Dubai
Summary
Highly skilled and passionate professional with a PhD in Neurology and Neuroscience and a strong foundation in communication and teamwork. Dedicated to using evidence-based and family-centred approaches to provide broad support to children with neurological diseases and complex needs. Committed to leveraging clinical and technological excellence to drive departmental success and innovation.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SENIOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST
HIGH HOPES PAEDIATRIC THERAPY CENTER DUBAI
01.2019 - Current
- Neurofunctional Pediatric Physiotherapy; Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Programs; Spider cage; Partial Body-weight suspension training; Whole-Body Vibration Therapy (Galileo/Hypervibe platforms); Kinesiotaping; Suit therapy (Pediasuit, Theratogs, Fabrifoam and Tog-rite straps); Task-Specific Electrical Stimulation (TASES).
- Supported patients' with cerebral palsy and rare diseases with motor functional difficulties, neuromuscular scoliosis, cortical visual impairment and complex needs.
- Improved overall family satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality, evidence-based approaches and techniques, and compassionate care.
- Conducted initial evaluations, identifying individual patient needs and setting measurable treatment goals (GAS, SMART).
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare team to optimize patient care and outcomes.
- Developed strong relationships with referring physicians, facilitating seamless coordination of care for shared patients.
- Developed strong relationships with patients, establishing trust and rapport to facilitate successful therapy outcomes.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Nove De Julho University - UNINOVE
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Taught Pediatric Neurologic Physical Therapy, Child Development, Assistive Technology, Neurologic Physical Therapy courses, providing instruction undergraduate students.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in clear subject matter discussion with students.
- Strengthened critical thinking skills in students through the incorporation of problem-based learning activities.
SENIOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST
INSTITUTO PRADO REABILITAÇÃO INTEGRADA
01.2011 - 01.2019
- Neurofunctional Physiotherapy; Intensive Rehabilitation Programs; Spider cage and Suit therapy; Kinesiotaping; Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation; Locomotor training.
- Managed a diverse caseload of patients, addressing pediatric neurological disorders, such as cerebral palsy, rare genetic diseases and complex needs, and orthopedic related concerns.
- Evaluated assistive devices such as orthosis and walker devices to provide recommendations for improved function and comfort.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to optimize patient care and outcomes.
- Conducted initial evaluations, identifying individual patient needs and setting measurable treatment goals.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND OWNER
PHYSICAL HEALTH FISIOTERAPIA LTDA.
01.2004 - 01.2012
- Hydrotherapy; Neurofunctional Physiotherapy; Home care Physiotherapy; Adult and Pediatric cases.
- Experienced in balancing the dual responsibilities of managing business operations and providing hands-on patient care, often requiring strong time management and multitasking skills.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
ASSOCIAÇÃO CRUZ VERDE
01.2003 - 07.2003
- Neurofunctional Pediatric Physiotherapy in a clinical, hospital and day care sets, including Hydrotherapy.
- Supported patients' with complex needs due to severe encephalopathies and rare diseases.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to continuously enhance skills as a Physical Therapist.
Education
Ph.D. - Neurology And Neuroscience
Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP – EPM)
Sao Paulo, Brazil01.2015
Sensu Lato Postgraduation - Motor Physical Therapy in Neurology
Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP-EPM)
Sao Paulo, Brasil01.2005
Sensu Lato Postgraduation - Neuropediatric Intervention
Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar)
01.2004
Bachelor of Science - Physical Therapy
University Center São Camilo (CUSC)
01.2002
Skills
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Pediatric Physical Therapy
- Physical and Functional Movement Assessment
- Clinical reasoning
- Experienced working in an interdisciplinary team
- BLS training
Certification
- Basic Life Support Training, First Responder Training DMCC, Dubai, UAE, 2024
- Inaugural Emirate Scoliosis Club Conference, Dubai, UAE, 2023
- MENA Organization for Rare Diseases Annual Meeting, Dubai, UAE, 2023
- Task-Specific Electrical Stimulation (TASES), Judy Carmick Sherwood, Australia, 2022
- Schroth 3D Therapy for Scoliosis treatment, Sanja Schreiber, Dubai, UAE, 2021
- CVI (Cortical Visual Impairment) online private training, Christine Roman-Lantzy, Dubai, UAE, 2021
- MAES Therapy, Jean-Pierre Maes, MCSP, London, UK, 2019
- Certified TheraTogs Fitter – Level I & II, Brazil, 2018
- Several courses about new paradigms in Neurological Pediatric Neuromotor development and rehabilitation, by Beverly Cusick, PT, MS, COF, Brazil, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2024.
- TherapyTaping Basic and Advanced, Brazil, 2012
- Pediasuit Method, Brazil, 2011
- Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) Course, Cláudia Alcântara de Torre, Brazil, 2006
- Sensory Integration in Learning Disorders and Neurological Disorders of Childhood, Module I, Brazil, 2004
Languages
Portuguese
English
DHA License
26093763
CREFITO-3 LICENSE (Brazil)
71474F
Personal Information
- Age: 43 years old (date of birth: 28/09/1980)
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Marital status: Single
Publications
- Intensive motor therapy with the suits in cerebral palsy, Chaves ACX, Santos PC, Artmed/Panamericana Publishing Company, 2016
- Development of a portable electronic goniodynamometer for the evaluation of equinus foot in cerebral palsy, Santos PC, Fusão EF, Pinho RS, Vilanova LCP, Andrade MS, Silva AC, Masruha MR, 13th International Child Neurology Congress, Brazil, 2014
- Transdisciplinary approach with Pediasuit method based on Interactionist Theory: case report, Santos PC, Rodrigues G, Masruha MR, XXII Brazilian Congress e II International Congress of the Brazilian Association of Neurology and Child Psychiatry and Related Professions.(ABENEPI), Brazil, 2013
- Effect of the use of dynamic body orthosis (Pediasuit) associated with intensive physiotherapy in children with quadripartic cerebral palsy: preliminary study, Santos PC, Hollatz K, Lima CF, Xavier ACC, Bonilha A, Masruha MR, Vilanova LCP, VII Brazilian Congress of Child Neurology, Brazil, 2012
- Safe use of high doses of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, Moreira CL, Santos PC, Pinho RS, Masruha MR, Vilanova LC, XXV Brazilian Congress of Neurology, Brazil, 2012
- Treatment of focal spasticity with botulinum toxin type A in children with cerebral palsy: muscles, doses and therapeutic goals, Moreira CL, Santos PC, Pinho RS, Masruha MR, Vilanova LC, XXV Brazilian Congress of Neurology, Brazil, 2012
- Influence of age and growth on the temporal and spatial gait parameters of individuals with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy, Santos PC, Yoshida JK, UNIFESP, Brazil, 2005
- Influence of the ankle plantiflexors muscles on the orthostatic posture of the child with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy, Santos PC, Lindquist ARR, UFSCar, Brazil, 2004
- The playful physiotherapy in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy, Santos PC, Monteiro CBM, CUSC, Brazil, 2002
Timeline
SENIOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST
HIGH HOPES PAEDIATRIC THERAPY CENTER DUBAI
01.2019 - Current
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Nove De Julho University - UNINOVE
01.2017 - 01.2019
SENIOR PHYSICAL THERAPIST
INSTITUTO PRADO REABILITAÇÃO INTEGRADA
01.2011 - 01.2019
PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND OWNER
PHYSICAL HEALTH FISIOTERAPIA LTDA.
01.2004 - 01.2012
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
ASSOCIAÇÃO CRUZ VERDE
01.2003 - 07.2003
Ph.D. - Neurology And Neuroscience
Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP – EPM)
Sensu Lato Postgraduation - Motor Physical Therapy in Neurology
Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP-EPM)
Sensu Lato Postgraduation - Neuropediatric Intervention
Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar)
Bachelor of Science - Physical Therapy
University Center São Camilo (CUSC)