FALL RIVER – Linda Arruda, RN, has recently joined the Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools Office team, supporting the 21 Catholic schools from Attleboro to Cape Cod. While the schools had nurse coverage prior to COVID-19, the current pandemic has raised the need for a highly qualified and experienced school nurse to oversee the 25 nurses who work at the individual school level.

“Navigating the ever changing requirements and medical knowledge of COVID has been challenging for school nurses,” indicates Daniel S. Roy, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Fall River. “Linda’s expertise and understanding of the medical process will be a great benefit to ensuring all school nurses follow consistent guidelines. Moreover, her ability to interpret medical information and its application in a school environment will only benefit our students, faculty and families. With a depth of knowledge and skills from her experience in hospitals and schools, Linda is a welcome addition to our team.”

Arruda said she is looking forward to her new role.

“I am so eager to work collaboratively with Catholic school leaders, diocesan school nurses, and school district liaisons and provide consultation in the implementation of COVID-19 and other health policies and procedures. My three children are current students in two of the Fall River Catholic schools, so I have a commitment to Catholic education and understand its value to our communities.”

Arruda is a registered nurse fluent in Portuguese and conversational Spanish. She previously was a school nurse teacher at the Providence Public Schools. She received her bachelor’s degree from Providence College and her nursing certificate from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in North Providence, Rhode Island.

For more information about the Catholic Schools Alliance, visit https://www.catholicschoolsalliance.org/we-have-a-place-for-you.