Here’s to new beginnings

Vânia Conde still remembers her first time at the Champalimaud Foundation (CF): a mix of curiosity, excitement, and a hint of nerves.

A seasoned nurse for over a decade at Instituto Português de Oncologia (IPO), she had grown accustomed to the rhythms of oncology and intensive care, confident in her expertise. Yet, CF, with its impressive architecture and state-of-the-art technology, felt like stepping into a world that was somehow “too polished” for someone who considered herself a straight-talking, no-nonsense girl from Caldas da Rainha.

“I thought I had to behave,” Vânia recalls with a mischievous laugh. “You know, act like I belong. But the funny thing is, it didn’t take long before I realised I didn’t need to change who I am.”

Her first impression of the Foundation was one of awe: open spaces, gardens, high-tech equipment, everything seemed new and designed to inspire. Coming from the older, bustling corridors of IPO, Vânia admits she was cautious. “I had my own prejudices and stereotypes I needed to break down.” she recalls. She feared the patients might be less grateful, the environment too formal, too polished for her straightforward style. Yet, the reality proved quite the opposite. The Foundation gave her the resources to deliver better care, the time to truly connect with patients and, importantly, a team that valued her authenticity.

Adjusting, however, wasn’t without its challenges. Used to Intensive Care Units’ open rooms and wide views, Vânia initially found herself anxious with patients separated by glass doors. “I thought I wouldn’t reach them in time if they needed me, they felt ‘out of my reach’”. But she quickly adapted, learning to combine vigilance with respect for privacy, ensuring that patients received care without compromising their dignity. She also discovered the subtleties that make a difference: a dab of cream, a touch of lipstick, a smile. “Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that have the biggest impact,” she says.

Vânia’s approach, direct, warm, and unpretentious, quickly left its mark on the team. She contributed not only through technical skill but through fostering a sense of camaraderie. Jokes in the corridors, pranks, celebrations for patients during festive seasons, these were as much a part of her work as administering care and medications. One memorable New Year’s Eve, she and her colleagues celebrated with a lone patient, complete with party hats and mock champagne, turning a quiet night into a moment of shared joy.

Her journey wasn’t just about adapting to new clinical centre; it was also about embracing change in her own life. A natural caregiver, Vânia had always been drawn to health and nursing. Yet, as a mother, she found herself reevaluating her priorities, balancing demanding shifts with family life.

It was curiosity that eventually led her to explore Chinese medicine. After seeing the transformative effect acupuncture had on her own mother, Vânia embarked on a course in traditional Chinese medicine, initially as a personal exploration, later evolving into a new professional avenue. “This was a completely different world,” she recalls. “I went from oncology, where we often face the end of life, to fertility, where through acupuncture I support patients who are hoping for new beginnings, but also, at times, facing loss and grief. Still, the essence of care, empathy, and human connection never changes.”

“The Foundation gave me conditions, resources, and freedom,” Vânia says. “But what makes it truly special are the people. The team, the patients, the families, we created something together. That’s what I miss the most.”

Throughout her time at the Foundation, Vânia credits her growth to the people around her. Colleagues, she notes, were mentors: experts from whom she learned, collaborators with whom she shared successes and frustrations.

“I’ve always been lucky to work with people who know more than I do,” she adds. “It’s a blessing, because it pushes you to keep learning, something I’ve experienced at IPO, at the Champalimaud Foundation, and also at the acupuncture clinic where I now work.”

Even outside the clinical practice, Vânia’s passion for human connection continues, through fado. Singing on Wednesdays in Lisbon, she finds a parallel between music and nursing: reaching people, sometimes without words, creating an emotional connection that resonates. Whether holding a patient’s hand or performing a heartfelt song in a crowded venue, the principle is the same.

Reflecting on her career, Vânia emphasises the unexpected rewards of following curiosity and her heart. Leaving a stable position at IPO to join CF, later moving into Chinese medicine and fertility, she embraced uncertainty not out of necessity but out of a desire to explore, care, and grow. 

Vânia’s story is one of courage, self-discovery, and the understated power of authenticity. Whether navigating oncology wards or acupuncture clinics, moving through the demanding clinical routines or the intimate, dimly lit stages of a fado performance , she remains guided by the same principle: empathy, connection, and the courage to be herself.

Vânia Conde, Former Nurse at the Intensive Care Unit of the Champalimaud Foundation’s Surgical Centre, Current Specialist in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Text by Teresa Fernandes, Co-coordinator of the Champalimaud Foundation's Communication, Events & Outreach Team
 

Full 20 Years, 20 Stories Collection here.