CONGRATULATIONS to Anne Sheetz, Director of the School Health Services of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Anne is the recipient of the Outstanding State School Nurse Consultant Achievement Award presented by the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants, Inc. (NASSNC, Inc.) This award will be presented to her at the National Association of School Nurses Annual conference in Cincinnati in June 2003.

The purpose of the award is to recognize the contributions of state school nurse consultants by honoring one consultant annually who has demonstrated excellence in the role. Selection criteria included some of the following:

• Has made outstanding contributions to NASSNC, Inc.
  
• Has served as a resource expert and catalyst from the state level for the development and implementation of policies and school health programs that promote, improve and/or maintain the well-being of students
  
• Has made significant contributions to overcoming barriers to the delivery of quality health care for school-age children and adolescents
  
• Has developed unique and worthwhile staff development programs for school nurses
  
• Has been actively involved in the development, interpretation and dissemination of relevant research data and other information which impacts the delivery of quality health and nursing services in the school setting
  
• Has been actively involved in the development or passage of important health policy, legislation, regulations or standards that affect the health of students and /or the practice of school nursing.
  

Anne Sheetz, MPH, RN, received her BSN from Cornell University, an MPH from the University of Michigan, and obtained a Graduate Certificate in Management from Harvard University. Anne is certified by the American Nursing Association in Advanced Nursing Administration and was a Johnson and Johnson/Wharton Nurse Executive Fellow in 1984. Her experience includes Chairman of Pediatric Nursing at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for 15 years. Prior to that she was a visiting nurse in Southeast Bronx. In 1986 she joined the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to develop the hospital regulations governing maternity and newborn care. Since 1990 she has been the Director of School Health Services at MDPH. Anne works with the School Health Unit staff to set standards for school health, revise regulations, promote continuing education for school health personnel, establish data systems, develop new models of school health care delivery, and explore reimbursement systems for this specialty area.

Congratulations Anne! We thank you for your commitment to providing quality services to the children and families of the Commonwealth.

Carole MacKenzie RN, MEd., the Director of School Health Services for the Needham Public Schools, received the William M. Powers Award for Administrative Excellence. Carole received the award in September 2004 at a back-to-school ceremony for all Needham staff from her Superintendent, Stephen Theall.

Carole has a Bachelor's Degree from Salem State College, and a Master's Degree in Education from Cambridge College. Her education and professional experiences gave her a strong background in the quality control process. Carole has transferred her knowledge of quality control and improvement (CQI) to the non-traditional school setting. Carole created a system of measurable goals for the Health Services Department and set objectives to measure progress. The CQI process also gave the department a way to quantify their progress and then communicate their achievements to administrators and staff. Carole was adamant that the successful school health programs in Needham are a result of teamwork from the staff of dedicated, hard working, experienced nurses.

Carole MacKenzie is the first Director of School Health Services in Needham. The position was originally funded entirely through the Essential School Health Services Grant three years ago. However, it is now a budgeted full-time position. Carole explained that she spent a great deal of time during her first year as the Director of School Health Services explaining to staff and fellow administrators just what a nursing leader does. Carole stated that she thanks Anne Sheetz, School Health Unit Director, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, for quantifying and qualifying the nursing leader's role. She also thanks George Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, her direct supervisor, for his support.

Carole stated that using the quality control methods afforded the nursing staff a way to measure and advance nursing practice in Needham. It also gave her a model that other disciplines could understand and support, such as the school physician, the Needham Board of Health and the Food Services Director.

The Massachusetts School Nurse of the Year Award was recently presented to Beverly Gallagher at the annual MSNO spring conference. Beverly has been a school nurse in the Brookline school system since 1985. She currently works at the Edward Devotion School. She is an active member of her school community, working with staff, students and families.

Her many contributions include writing a grant to develop a program for school staff to deal with medical emergencies, adding her experience as a "foster parent" for puppies in training as guide dogs, to the fourth grade health curriculum on Understanding Disabilities. With her colleagues she piloted a program for adolescent girls around the issues of healthy eating and body image.

Congratulations and best wishes to Beverly, who is well deserving of this award and who is also an inspiration to her colleagues. Beverly was honored to receive this award at the conference and was congratulated by family and friends who proudly attended the ceremony.

Mary Ferraro was named Massachusetts School Nurse of the Year 2001 at the MSNO annual Spring 2001 conference. She has been working as a school nurse in the Framingham Public School system for over fourteen (14) years. Mrs. Ferraro is a valued member of the staff at the Charlotte A. Dunning School.

Mary's health room is a welcoming environment where children know they will always be greeted with a smile. To promote student relaxation and a state of well-being, Mrs. Ferraro has added music to the health room atmosphere. Children may listen to a variety of classical, instrumental and natural sound recordings. Furthermore, Mary has also created a health room library with a collection of books that serve as a resource for the children on a variety of health topics.

Mrs. Ferraro is a true professional always willing to speak out for school nursing and children's health issues. An active member of MSNO, she has made telephone calls to legislators and nursing colleagues to encourage support for school health services. She is a valuable resource to her colleagues and a mentor to new school nurses, always gracious and willing to share her best practice ideas.

Mrs. Ferraro, not only makes the children feel comfortable in her health office, but also addresses the concerns of their parents. One mother stated that Mrs. Ferraro made a challenging situation easier because of her experience and kind manner.

MSNO is pleased to honor Mary Ferraro. She is an excellent representative and advocate for school nurses in Massachusetts

Susan Cowles has been selected as the Massachusetts School Nurse of the Year 2004. Sue is a school nurse from the Quashnet School in Mashpee. Beides being cited for overall expertise and proficiency, she was especially noted for her outstanding work as a mentor for new school nurses in her district. Cowles, who serves as president of the School Nurse Association of Cape Cod, is eligible for honors as National School Nurse of the Year. Congratulations, Sue!

Kathleen DeFillippo was chosen as the MSNO Scholarship Award Recipient of the Year 2001. She is a special projects nurse for the Lawrence Public Schools' Enhanced School Health with Consultation Grant. Ms. DeFillippo has been a school nurse in Lawrence since 1986 and is a vital part of their health services and education programs.

Kathleen has been an active member of MSNO for over thirteen (13) years, serving as MSNO secretary, legislative co-chair, awards committee co-chair and co-chair of Region II.

Ms. DeFillippo is currently enrolled in the Master of Education in School Administration program at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. She believes school nurses play a vital role in bridging the gap between the health care and educational communities, and that this advance degree will assist her in working more effectively within the health and educational arenas. Utilizing her new skills and expanded knowledge, she will continue to be a strong advocate for improving school health services.

Susan is a school nurse at the South Elementary School in Somerset. This Scholarship Award of $1000 will contribute to her graduate education at Cambridge College where Susan is enrolled in the Master's Degree Program. She is also the MSNO Region X chairperson and is working with MTA to secure pay equity for school nurses.

Congratulations to Robbie Cobbett, MSNO's membership chairperson. Robbie was recognized for her contributions to certification and school nursing at the 2007 NASN conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Congratulations to Mary Zamorski, RN of Hampden, recent recipient of Baystate Health System's 2000 Spirit of Women Award, Health Care Provider Category. This prestigious award is designed to honor local women for the contributions they make in their communities and in the lives of others.

Journalist Suzanne Labrie writes in honoring Mary:
Mary Zamorski of Hampden enriches the lives of children every day in a quiet, dignified, determined manner. She has brought expanded health care services to the Springfield School System through her development of the school health program and her management of the nursing staff.

Her innovative Nurse Managed Health Care Center provides primary and emergency care to all students in the school system. She has worked tirelessly to increase the immunization rate for students entering the school system.

Some of her many accomplishments include increasing lead screening in the schools, developing a Hepatitis A program for culinary arts students, and initiating a physical therapy program for special needs children.

Peter Negroni, former Superintendent of Schools, says "Mary is a dynamic, competent and creative individual who has performed in an outstanding fashion in her position. As a result of her continuing commitment and competence, the school system has received accolades from across the country for a model school health program for children."

We extend our congratulations to Mary and thank her for all her hard work, dedication and commitment to the school children of the Commonwealth. Great job!

Congratulations to Kathy O' Neill RN, BS, MS who received the Honor of NASN Fellow 2007. This is the highest recognition that members can receive from the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and is bestowed on the Association's professional members who have made significant, unique and extraordinary achievements that have had broad influence in contributing to the specialty practice of school nursing and NASN. Kathy was recognized at the Awards Celebration on Friday June 29, 2007 during the NASN conference in Nashville, and inducted at the Annual Meeting on Saturday June 30, 2007. Congratulations to Kathy on this significant achievement!

Congratulations to Marcia Buckminster RN, CS, PNP, SNP who received the Honor of NASN Fellow 2006. This honor is bestowed on NASN's professional members who have "made significant, unique, and extraordinary achievements that have had broad influence in contributing to the advancement of the specialty practice of school nursing and NASN". It is the highest recognition that members can receive from the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). Congratulations to Marcia on this significant achievement!

Congratulations to Marcia Buckminister who has received the distinguished honor of National School Nurse Administrator for 1999. Marcia is the Director of School Health Services in Framingham and heads up a staff of 21 full-time and 3 part-time school nurses in the Framingham (MA) Public Schools. She received the award at the annual conference of the National Association of School Nurses in Providence, R.I. on June 25, 1999.

Marcia started as a substitute school nurse in 1973, served full time at Walsh Middle School, and was named Director of School Health Services in 1985. Under her leadership, the Framingham Public Schools have added staff and services to all health rooms, becoming a model district with at least one full-time nurse in every school since 1992. Due to this staffing, emergency medications and instrumentation such as nebulizers and peak flow meters can be kept in schools for emergency treatment, reducing trips to hospital emergency rooms and helping students with chronic needs to maintain school attendance.

Marcia was instrumental in arranging Hepatitis B vaccinations for Grade 6 students in 1993 and continues to coordinate the program with MetroWest Medical Center. Hepatitis B vaccinations have been adopted across Massachusetts as well as the rest of the nation as a result of Framingham's pilot program. In the past year, Marcia has also played a key role in negotiations for the local hospital to staff a School-Based Health Center at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School this past fall, and in the cholesterol study which began last March to track the health of sophomore volunteers and their families.

Under the first Enhanced School Health Service Grant obtained by Marcia Buckminster, the 8,000 student district accomplished computerization of student health records five years ago. Under the latest Enhanced School Health Service Grant, Framingham serves as a consultant to nine other communities to improve their school health standards.

Framingham High School's Teen Parenting Program is but one of numerous nursing programs implemented through Marcia Buckminster's grant writing efforts and commitment to community health. Other efforts include translator tools, participation in nutrition programs, and guest lecturing in health classes.

Framingham has been able to serve as a pilot for Massachusetts' Health Information System through Marcia Buckminster's work with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This fall, the school nurses implemented the Sunwise program, which surveys elementary students about sun exposure and protection. After establishing a control group, the nurses have educated students and will survey their knowledge this spring. The program is conducted in conjunction with Boston University and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Marcia Buckminster has been called to testify before legislative bodies in Washington and Boston over the years. She has just completed a final term as President of the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization, and is actively lobbying for a full time nurse in every school in Massachusetts. Marcia is a graduate of Newton Wellesley Hospital School of Nursing, and has obtained her advanced education at Framingham State College and Northeastern University. She has also worked at hospital settings before becoming a school nurse. She is married and lives in Framingham.

Ann Farrell is the Nurse Leader for the Nashoba Regional School District. She entered nursing with a Diploma from St. Vincent's Hospital School in Worcester followed by a BSN from Salem State College, a MS in Infant and Toddler Studies from Wheelock College, and a M.Ed. in School Nursing from Cambridge College. Ann holds national certification as a school nurse. She is an active member of MSNO holding the position of Co-chair of Region IX.

As the Nurse Leader for the Nashoba Regional District, Ann supervises twelve nurses in seven schools spread over three towns. These twelve nurses collectively feel Ann "empowers each of us, drawing from our strengths and guiding us to work as a unified, professional group to benefit the health and education of our students." Michael L. Wood, the Superintendent of Schools, states that Ann "works tirelessly on behalf of health and wellness in our district and across the state."

Ann has worked to promote the importance of school nursing. Due to her advocacy, there is at least one nurse in each school (three in the high school) and the nurses have pay equity with the teaching faculty. One of the first goals Ann accomplished as Nurse Leader was moving the nursing staff into the age of technology to promote evidence based practice. This has allowed the nurses to keep heath data accessible to support their programs and research. She continues to keep their knowledge and systems current and updated. Ann gives her nurses opportunities to attend professional development programs and encourages them to share their knowledge student, staff, families, and each other. She listens to their needs and responds in ways that shows both that she understands and supports them. On a more global scale, Ann has attended School Nurse Lobby Day in Boston to support initiatives in the state legislature that affect school health.

Two years ago Ann started the development of a district health and wellness policy. It became one of the first comprehensive policies approved in Massachusetts and has been used as a model throughout the Commonwealth. To promote health in the staff, Ann has recruited over 140 participants for a 3 month walking program. Other programs she helped institute include CPR training for student and staff members, annual skin cancer education, the funding for and training in the use of automated external defibrillators in each school, and the publishing of monthly staff health fliers and quarterly district health newsletters.

Ann coordinates and supervises the Emergency Medical Technician Cadet Program at Nashoba Regional High School. This is one of only two such programs in Massachusetts. New cadets are brought into the program each year. Ann works with the cadets and state and local authorities to keep information current, standards high, and the experiences positive. Luis Forte, a senior Cadet, stated that Ann has a "great passion and devotion to this unique specialized program and expresses it in all her actions."

In the midst of all these work activities, Ann still finds time to spend with her family and friends, serve as a Eucharist Minister in her church, teach CCD, and participate in the annual Relay for Life. Ann has been characterized as a leader, an advocate, self-effacing, supportive, compassionate, understanding, energetic, innovative, efficient, committed, positive, humorous, knowledgeable, patient, gentle, strong, professional, and (to quote her Superintendent) "a tremendous human being." We, the school nurses of Massachusetts, are very fortunate to have Ann Farrell as our School Nurse Administrator of the Year 2006.