Sheila's colleagues nominated her for this award because of her contributions and collegiality in improving health service management, promoting student safety, and her exemplary work in providing health care for her students.

Sheila is a Regional Representative for SNOM members in the West Metro Area, represents SNOM on the Minnesota High School League Health Advisory Board and serves on the Board of Directors for the School Nurse Organization. She also serves as an executive board member for Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota. Her professional skills of leadership, collaboration, and student advocacy provide a model school nursing practice for all school nurses in Minnesota. Congratulations Sheila!

In collaboration with the Minnesota Departments of Education and Human Services, Janet has provided expertise and direction for efforts to establish the legitimacy of school nursing services as an IEP health related service and improve funding for school health services in Minnesota schools. She was also instrumental in developing an interactive video conference and numerous resources for the School Nurse Organization's website to educate Minnesota School Nurses about their role in the special education process.

Janet has numerous publications on the role of school nurse in special education and third party reimbursement and is recognized as a national expert in the school nursing arena. She serves on the Board of Directors for the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota and leads the Special Education Committee. Congratulations, Janet, for your contributions to advancing the practice of school nursing!

SNOM was extremely pleased to be able to honor Evelyn Holland, RN, Licensed School Nurse for her lifetime of school nursing service and contributions to the professional organization. Evelyn continues to volunteer her school nursing services for her daughter, Jolie Holland, who is also a school nurse with the Howard Lake Waverly Winsted school district.

Mindy Greiling, State of Minnesota House of Representatives, District 54A, was honored for her tireless efforts at the legislature on behalf of children at the Annual School Nurse Organization of Minnesota Annual Fall Conference on November 2, 2007. Mindy has been an outspoken and relentless advocate for children especially in the areas of education and mental health. Mindy recognizes and values the role of student support services (including school nursing, psychology, social work, counseling and chemical health) in promoting student success. The School Nurse Organization of Minnesota appreciates her leadership and support of services that support and promote healthy learners in Minnesota schools.

Lobbyist Linda Sandvig was honored for her outstanding work on behalf of school nursing at the Annual School Nurse Organization of Minnesota Annual Fall Conference on November 2, 2007. Linda has been the lobbyist for the School Nurse Organization for the past 3 years. She has been a lobbyist for 30 years and began her career with the Minnesota Nurses Association. Linda's insights were invaluable in shaping the organizations legislative strategies. Her credibility with legislators, understanding of both health care and education, and her skill in collaboration gave the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota increased visibility and effectiveness. Minnesota School Nurses appreciates Linda's work in assisting them as they advocate for children's health and education issues.

Minnesota nurses "get down" with our out-going NASN President Sue Will at the Endowment Hoe Down in Nashville, Tennessee June 2007. Come and join this fun group of nurses at NASN's 40th Annual Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico June 28 - July 1, 2008.

Congratulations to Denise Herrmann and Mary Swanson, who were inducted as NASN Fellows at the NASN annual meeting June, 2007. This is the highest honor you can receive from a national organization. Denise and Mary have not only contributed greatly to MN school nurse practice but have been extensively involved on a national level in education and professional practice for school nurses.

 

On November 1, Denise Herrmann, MS, RN, LSN, CPNP, who is a practicing School Nurse from Saint Paul, Minnesota, testified on behalf of NASN before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform during a hearing entitled "The Administration's Regulatory Actions on Medicaid: The Effects on Patients, Doctors, Hospitals, and States." Herrmann, who has over 20 years of experience as a School Nurse, has worked extensively with Medicaid Administrative Claiming. In addition, she is the expert for Saint Paul Public Schools on IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. She implored the Committee Members to let the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services know the harm that would occur by changing certain Medicaid regulations for administrative claiming. A negative impact would be seen in the lives of school children and the practice of school nursing. To read NASN's testimony, click here. To view the hearing on-line, and to read the testimony of other witnesses, click here.

Minneapolis Licensed School Nurse, Marcie Haigh and Nursing Services Manager, Mary Heiman were featured in a WCCO news story highlighting the Minneapolis and St Paul School Districts' asthma education/management efforts through the Controlling Asthma in American Cities Project. Click here to read the story and to view the video clip.

Sue Will, Past President of the National Association of School Nurses, was interviewed by Katie Couric of the NBC Today show December 15, 2005 regarding the consequences of the shortage in the schools. Highlighted in this report where the increase of the students with Asthma, Diabetes and other diseases which might impare the students ability to learn. You will need the Quicktime Player in order to view this video.