Ana Vieira

Ana Vieira was born in August 1975 (so a post revolution girl), grew up in Marinha Grande (known as a revolutionary and industrial cluster), Portugal, and graduated from the University of Algarve (UAlg) in Faro, with a degree in Modern Languages and Literatures. Started to work as teacher, in 1992, but she felt she didn’t fit in the Portuguese educational system, so she gladly accepted an invitation to work in the tool and plastic industry (where she finally started to feel like she fit in). She spent sixteen years working as a project manager for Grupo Moldoeste, and the last seven years up till now working full time as a marketing manager for the same company (because she was burnt out and needed a more flexible and less stressing work position). She’s able to speak English, Spanish, French and very basic German. Her background in industry exporting business and expertise in tool and plastic allowed her to manage to keep her job despite her health condition. After many years dealing with different odd symptoms (since childhood) she was finally diagnosed with Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome in 2007, after being hospitalised with a pulmonary emboly. Being a RMD patient led her to unveil the path of patient and health advocacy, and to discover a whole new positive side of the disease. She believes volunteering, participating, getting involved, sharing, speaking up, influencing, can really make a change and help build a better future for patients. She’s a member of the Portuguese League Against Rheumatic (LPCDR) and it’s Sjögren’s patient group since 2013. She’s a volunteer and is involved in the ISN (International Sjögren’s Network) and EURORDIS acting as a liaison officer. She’s also a member of EULAR Patient Research Partner (PRP) network, an ERN ReCONNET ePAG and member of the Steering Committee of this network, co-founder and board member of the federation Sjögren Europe, board member of the AGORA platform, member of FOREUM scientific committee and has joined EULAR research committee in 2021. She loves challenging projects and inspirational people that allow her to grow as an individual and as a professional. Proud mother of two boys, she lives in her hometown (Marinha Grande). Living by the sea is a blessing, offering her peaceful and happy moments. Loves pets, reading, gardening, bricolage and travelling. Clinical Pilates and long walks in nature helps her manage pain and anxiety.