On November 5, 2025, Policlinica Santa Monica celebrated the inauguration of its new facilities in the neighborhood of Leblon, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). This moment marks a significant step in a project that, for 43 years, has been offering free medical care to people in situations of social vulnerability, under the responsibility of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova.
The new space was designed to ensure greater comfort, accessibility and quality of service. Doctors and health professionals work on a voluntary basis, dedicating time and knowledge to the care of the communities of Rocinha, Vidigal, Chácara do Céu and Leblon. This expansion is expected to increase the number of consultations and strengthen the solidarity network that has sustained the project for more than four decades.
More than a health center, the Polyclinic acts as a point of social integration. Its work promotes disease prevention, health education and the development of volunteerism and social responsibility, especially among medical professionals and students.
The mission is deeply inspired by Augustinian spirituality and the conviction that human dignity is an inalienable value. As St. Augustine reminded us, “the poor are not just someone to be helped, but the sacramental presence of the Lord”. In the same vein, the words of Pope Leo XIII guide the meaning of this work: “The poor are not just a social problem, they are part of our family. Every consultation, every gesture of care, is rooted in this recognition of the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters.
The inauguration reaffirms the joint commitment of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Santo Agostinho College and ARCORES Brazil in building a more just society, where comprehensive care and solidarity transform lives.
Contacts and addresses
ARCORES Brazil
Avenida Ataulfo de Paiva, 527, room 605 – Leblon – CEP 22440-032 – Rio de Janeiro
Phone: (21) 2512-8657 – Ramal 244
Email: brasil@arcores.org
WhatsApp: (21) 96729-7794
Instagram: @arcores.brasil
Policlinica Santa Monica
Rua Cupertino Durão, 78 – Leblon – Rio de Janeiro
Instagram: @policlinicasantamonica