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A Learning Odyssey: Bridging Research, Surgery, and Personal Growth Across Continents

  • Writer: José Wittor de Macêdo Santos
    José Wittor de Macêdo Santos
  • Apr 11
  • 3 min read

Article from Brazil


Growing up in a small town in the rural Northeastern Brazil, I often wondered about something beyond what I knew—a purpose, a meaning, a way forward. Coming from a humble background, I always believed that education could be my bridge to a different reality. Dentistry led me to oral and maxillofacial surgery, and my passion for craniofacial surgery and cleft care set me on a journey I never imagined possible. “Difficulties are opportunities”—a phrase from Joseph Murray that has stayed with me throughout my journey(1). In 2023, I faced my biggest challenge: leaving Brazil for the first time to pursue a research fellowship in craniofacial surgery at Universitätsspital Basel in Switzerland, joining the Research Group Mueller AA | Facial & Cranial Anomalies. I would have to navigate new languages, cultures, and professional mindsets. It was more than a professional step—it was a personal transformation.


From research to real world impact

I was privileged to work alongside exceptional mentors and colleagues, contributing to innovative research in cleft and craniofacial surgery. Our projects focused on the intersection of technology and patient care, particularly in 3D scanning and machine learning-driven solutions. This experience deepned my fascination with the field and gave me a lesson I would carry: surgery is not just about what happens in the operating room—it is about continuously questioning, innovating, and striving for better patient outcomes. Beyond research, Basel provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with the global surgical community, attending international courses, conferences, and building relationships with professionals dedicated to pushing the field forward. Breaking through my natural timidity, I stepped onto the stage to present one of our researches at events such as ECPCA Milan 2024, which allowed me to contribute to discussions on how technology can enhance craniofacial care.


(Figure 1).
(Figure 1).

A new challenge: refining surgical skills in Asia

As Higgins describes, great surgeons are those who not only refine their technical abilities but also listen, collaborate, and remain committed to the bigger picture—patient care(2). With this in mind, I transitioned into a new phase of training, shifting from research to an intensive craniofacial surgery clinical fellowship at Taipei Medical University Hospital in Taiwan. Under  the guidance of the esteemed Prof. Philip K.T. Chen, I have been able to deepen my understanding of comprehensive cleft care, learning invaluable techniques in complex cleft and reconstructive procedures.


(Figure 2)
(Figure 2)

Craniofacial surgery became my passion early in my training. I have long been drawn to this field for its profound  impact on restoring  function and transforming lives, making it my lifelong commitment. While technological advancements are valuable, the heart of our speciality remains the ability to provide solid and safe surgical care with precision and compassion(3).


Lessons from a journey

Looking back, I see my journey not as a series of achievements, but as a collection of lessons. The most important one? That the pursuit of excellence in surgery never ends. Performing surgery is not just a job—it is a vocation, a continuous pursuit of knowledge, and a bridge between science and humanity. This is particularly true in the craniofacial surgery, where compassionate care and surgical expertise can fundamentally change a child’s life. As I prepare to return to Brazil, I carry with me the knowledge, the friendships, and the sense of purpose that have shaped this journey. And with that, I hold onto the words of Ralph Millard, my personal motto and a guiding principle for every surgeon—words that encapsulate the responsibility of those surgeon who seek to push their field forward: “We must do better”(1).


By: José Wittor de Macêdo Santos, DDS, OMFS, PhD candidate

Figure 1. Sharing research on 3D scanning and machine learning applications for presurgical cleft care at the ECPCA Milan 2024.

Figure 2. Craniofacial fellowship at Taipei Medical University Hospital.

Bibliography

(1) Mulliken JB. Sense of wonder. J Craniofac Surg. 2009;20(Suppl 1):603–7. DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0b013e31819298a8.

(2) Higgins JP. Ten Traits of Great Physicians. Am J Med. 2023;136(4):355–9. DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.12.011.

(3) Thieringer FM, Leung MYY, Fan K. Resilience at the End of the Year: From Crisis to Innovation and the Future of Craniomaxillofacial Trauma and Reconstruction. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2023;16(4):257–257. DOI: 10.1177/19433875231217130.




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