Morabeza in Action

Bridging medicine and community, from the diaspora to the islands.

Why we gather

Conference Objectives

Facilitate synergy and collaboration among Cabo Verdean American organizations doing community-based work.
Highlight programs, interventions, and community-driven initiatives that address the distinct health needs of Cabo Verdean individuals at every stage of life.
Create space for honest dialogue about the stigmas surrounding mental health, substance use, domestic violence, and other sensitive health issues that disproportionately affect Cabo Verdean communities.
Strengthen connections among Cabo Verdean communities in the United States, Cabo Verde, and beyond by fostering a shared sense of identity, purpose, and collective responsibility for community health.
Foster research collaboration and knowledge exchange between the diaspora and Cabo Verde, and facilitate networking and partnership-building among researchers, institutions, and practitioners.
Amplify voices from the Global South in academic and policy discourse, giving scholars, clinicians, and community leaders from Cabo Verde and the diaspora a platform to share their work.

Target audience — community members, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, psychologists, physician assistants, social workers, and other members of the healthcare team.

Two days

Schedule

Friday, Sept 25 Saturday, Sept 26

Day one · Friday

September 25, 2026

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Klarman Building, Floor 11
111 Francis St, Boston, MA

1:00 – 4:30 PM

Research Symposium

Fireside chat: Cross-border Research Collaboration with Cabo Verdean Scholars with Dr. Abel Djassi Amado
Presentation of research abstracts
Panel — Challenges of Workforce and Talent Retention in Cabo Verde

5:00 – 7:00 PM · time TBD

Happy Hour Social

Estella · 49 Temple Pl, Boston, MA

Day two · Saturday

September 26, 2026

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Klarman Building, Floor 11
111 Francis St, Boston, MA

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Conference

Updates from the Society — presentations from the Cardiology, Orthopedics, and Radiology CVAMS Clinical Teams
Keynote address from the new Minister of Health of Cabo Verde, Dr. Lucio Miranda Fernandes, on the vision of post-graduate medical training in Cabo Verde
Panel — Cross-border Collaboration in Cabo Verde, featuring U.S.-based organizations working within Cabo Verde
Talk — "Reflections of Intimate Family Violence in the Cabo Verdean Community" by Dr. Dawna Thomas
Panel — Mental Health Services and Issues facing Cabo Verdean populations, with mental health professionals
Talk — "Unmasking Strength: Masculinity and Vulnerability within Family, School, and Community Contexts" by Dr. Ambrizeth Lima
Panel — Drivers of Health in Adolescents, with representatives from youth programs and pediatric providers
Panel — Elder Care in the Cabo Verdean Community, featuring Adult Day Facility representatives
Panel — Care in the Community: Breaking Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health

Who's behind it

Conference Planning Committee

Conference Chair Samantha DeAndrade, MD, MPH

Madelaine Tully, MD

Past Conference Chair · CVAMS Secretary

Paulo Renato Pina, MD, MPH

Past Conference Chair

Julio Teixeira, MD, FACS

President of CVAMS

Nancy DeSousa, PhD, MPH

Administrative Director, CVAMS

Ambrizeth Lima, Ed.D.

Elizabeth Gomes, DO

Joana Vaz

Adriano Cabral

Khuaten Macedo, MD

Sandra Fonseca, MD

Susan Weinberg, MD

Raphaela Varella, MD

Jamia Andrade

Jessy Monteiro

Aalliyah Ferreira

26 Annual Meeting

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