She has an MD degree from the University of S. Paulo, Brazil, and a PhD in Analytic Health Services from the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Sauaia has more than 20 years of experience in health services and health outcomes research, and is internationally known for her research in post-injury care. She is a co-investigator in the NIH-funded, 20-year Trauma Center Grant, which has changed several aspects of current post-trauma care, especially in the areas of blood transfusions, multiple organ failure and early coagulopathy.