Jen serves as the District Nurse for Fergus Falls Public Schools, where she has provided exceptional care and leadership since 2016. Overseeing the health needs of more than 2,700 students across seven school sites, Jen ensures that each child—from preschoolers to young adults—receives compassionate, high-quality health support.
In her role, Jen manages a wide range of student health concerns, and skillfully coordinates her school health team, ensuring that each school operates with efficiency, safety, and a focus on student well-being. Her proactive approach includes collaborating with families, teachers, and healthcare providers to create and update care plans tailored to each child’s needs. Jen is also deeply committed to health education and prevention. She has developed newsletters, health and wellness websites, and classroom programs that teach students, staff, and families about important topics such as diabetes care, infection control, and emergency medication use—all tailored to age-appropriate learning levels.
Jen leads efforts to improve systems and outcomes districtwide. She has streamlined health documentation, digitized vision and hearing screening results, and developed immunization data tools that have saved significant staff time and improved accuracy. As the Regional School Nurse Consultant for the Lakes Region, she supports nurses across multiple districts, organizing Community of Practice meetings that promote professional learning and evidence-based care. Guided by the NASN Framework for School Nursing Practice and rooted in a deep commitment to public health and equity. From coordinating flu clinics and teaching classroom health lessons to guiding her district through the COVID-19 pandemic, Jen continues to model professionalism, compassion, and innovation in every aspect of her role. Through her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to student-centered care, Jen has made an enduring impact on her district and community—exemplifying the excellence recognized by this statewide honor.
Through her expertise, empathy, and dedication, Jen has become a trusted leader and an essential part of the Fergus Falls school community. Her work exemplifies the vital role school nurses play in ensuring that students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn each day.