{"id":2039,"date":"2026-09-14T16:32:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T15:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pdo.pt\/about\/"},"modified":"2026-11-12T18:36:56","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T18:36:56","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pdo.pt\/en\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"
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About Palha\u00e7os d'Opital<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

For more than a decade, bringing joy, humour and affection to those who need it most.<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Palha\u00e7os d\u2019Opital was born from a simple but essential question: what about older people?<\/p>\n

At a time when hospital clowning was aimed mostly at children, Palha\u00e7os d\u2019Opital became a pioneer in Europe by bringing the art of clowning to adults in hospital.<\/p>\n

It is a mission that recognises the value of art and humour, helping to humanise healthcare and change the experience of being in hospital.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Sorrisos para a Vida.<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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History<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

A story of humour, joy and affection.<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Founded on 12 February 2013 by Jorge Rosado and Isabel Rosado, our organisation was created to bring humour, joy and affection to adults, with a special focus on older people.<\/p>\n

Our first partner hospital was Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, in Aveiro. We were the first organisation in Europe dedicated to artistic work with adults and older people in hospital.<\/p>\n

Today we are present in 11 hospitals, where pairs of artists specifically trained for the hospital setting work closely with healthcare professionals, bringing moments of humour, joy and humanity to those who need them most.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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See the full timeline<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Mission<\/h3>\n

To bring joy, humour and affection to adults and older people in hospital.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Vision<\/h3>\n

To be a national reference in humanising hospital care and in artistic work in healthcare, showing every day that art also cares.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Team<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

A team of professional artists.<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Palha\u00e7os d\u2019Opital currently has a team of 13 professional artists from theatre, clowning and music, all with specialised training and specific preparation for working in hospitals.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Meet the people<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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2013<\/h5>

Jorge Rosado and Isabel Rosado found the association on 12 February and make the first visit to Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga, in Aveiro \u2013 the first partner hospital.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2014<\/h5>

Structured training of the artistic team begins, with the first training course (S\u00e9rgio Claramaunt), and the third partner hospital joins: Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2015<\/h5>

First independent impact evaluation, through a master's thesis at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, and the Pr\u00e9mio Sapo Solid\u00e1rio award.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2016<\/h5>

Participation in the Healthcare Clowning International Meeting in Lisbon, the first step into the international network of hospital clown organisations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2017<\/h5>

The mission reaches an international stage: Jorge Rosado at TEDx Porto, and Jorge and Isabel Rosado at the C2U Expo conference in Vancouver. The fourth partner hospital joins: IPO Coimbra.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2018<\/h5>

Palha\u00e7os d'Opital presents its mission at the European Parliament.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2019<\/h5>

Rebranding, and a fifth partner hospital: Unidade Local de Sa\u00fade de Matosinhos.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2020<\/h5>

In the middle of the pandemic, launch of the d'Opital TV channel and of the BioRiso scientific study; in-person visits resume in July.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2021<\/h5>

Isabel Rosado is named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in the Social Sector in Europe (Euclid Network), and the association receives the Pr\u00e9mio Nobre Casa de Cidadania.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2022<\/h5>

Palha\u00e7os d'Opital becomes an associate member of EFHCO (European Federation of Hospital Clown Organizations) and joins the European project Virtual Healthcare Clown, funded by Erasmus+.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2023<\/h5>

10th anniversary gala at Coliseu Porto Ageas, and the eighth partner hospital joins: Centro Hospitalar Universit\u00e1rio de S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2024<\/h5>

Our biggest year of growth so far: a new head office, a larger team, and work that is becoming national in scope.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

2025<\/h5>

Pr\u00e9mio Caixa Social, in the Prevention and Healthcare category, for the project \"Sorrisos Intemporais\".<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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