There’s a gentleness and a sweetness to Lidia Duarte, LPN, that is always present. And always welcome. But there’s more too. Lidia has an international perspective, a very cute sense of humor, and, as her RVNA colleagues well know, she is the purveyor of some very delectable Portuguese treats.
Not to mention her Flan!
Ladies and gentlemen, from Vila Ruiva, Portugal all the way to RVNA, meet …. Lidia Duarte!
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I was born in Portugal in a little town named Vila Ruiva – a very cute small town. I met my husband Manuel there and we came to the U.S. in 1987 after getting married. We have been here ever since. We started in Danbury and moved to Brookfield in 2010. I’m going back to Vila Ruiva for Christmas and New Year’s this year, visiting my Mom and my older daughter, Emily, who lives in Lisbon.
How long have you been at RVNA?
Just over 5 years.
What brought you here?
I was offered a position as an intake nurse, which was a good position for me.
Describe your role at RVNA?
I am now a QAPI Associate. QAPI stands for Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement. In my role, I wear a lot of hats. In addition to my QAPI work, I handle some medical records and provide support for field nurses. I also give the occasional flu shot.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I really love my job and the people that I work with. They are an amazing group. There is nothing in my job that I don’t like to do. I’m blessed.
When did you decide to become a nurse?
I must have been 15 or 16. This was a long time ago. I’ve always wanted to take care of people and help everybody. This little town in Portugal where I lived had lots of older people who needed help. Being a nurse was always within me. I also have a cousin who is a nurse and two doctors in the family.
I love to do crocheting and I love to cook.
What is your hidden talent?
Handball. I was a very good player in Portugal. I still play when I go back, but I don’t play here.
What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would help family and friends … including RVNA!
Do you have a favorite RVNA moment or story?
I have lots of favorite moments, but I actually have a special story. A few years ago, I had a little phone friendship with a lady who lived in New York and was taking care of her husband. We couldn’t provide services to New York, but almost every night she would call me with little questions. She needed support and she always told me that she loved to talk to me. I liked to talk to her too and it felt good to help someone who didn’t have anybody there. It wasn’t a lot of time and her questions were not complicated. She just needed a little kindness and confidence.
Bonus questions!
What’s your favorite movie of all time? The Godfather movies. I love Robert DeNiro. (Michael J. Fox too.)
If you had a musical band, what would it be called?
The Penguins. That’s what I call my kids.
If you had a race horse, what would you name it?
Lusitano. That’s a famous horse breed in Portugal.
If you could only eat one food for a year, what would it be?
I love my Caldo Verde. (Kale soup)
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