Amidst the vibrant pulse of São Paulo, the Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM) stands as a testament to medical innovation and dedication. The EPM’s story began in 1933, a vision of 31 determined physicians and two engineers. They sought to create a second medical school in São Paulo, complete with its own dedicated hospital. Today, the EPM is an integral part of the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp). It’s fondly referred to as “Paulista” by medical students.
The EPM’s founders, hailing from various medical institutions across Brazil and the world, established the Sociedade Civil Escola Paulista de Medicina. This society, now the Associação Paulista para o Desenvolvimento de Medicina (SPDM), supported the EPM’s medical pursuits. In 1936, the cornerstone for the Hospital São Paulo was laid, marking a milestone as Brazil’s first purpose-built teaching hospital. This hospital, inaugurated in 1940, solidified the EPM’s position as a leading medical institution.
The EPM continued to break new ground. It pioneered the first biomedical course in Brazil in 1966 and established the Department of Medicine, a model later adopted throughout Brazilian higher education. However, twenty years after its founding, the EPM faced financial challenges. Federalization in 1956 provided a solution, incorporating the EPM into the national university system while the Hospital São Paulo remained under SPDM management.
In 1994, the EPM transformed into the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp). The EPM’s symbol, a Jequitibá tree entwined with a serpent, embodies its rich history and connection to São Paulo. The Jequitibá, native to the Atlantic Forest, represents longevity and the EPM’s steady growth. The serpent, a traditional medical symbol, further emphasizes the institution’s medical focus. The green color of the symbol reflects the color of medicine. The EPM remains a hub for medical education and research within Unifesp’s São Paulo campus. Its influence extends beyond its walls, impacting the Brazilian medical landscape through its graduates and innovative contributions.