Biography
I have my Doctorate in Nursing and am Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in children with special health needs.
I have been with MDH since June 2019. From April 2020 to June 2022, I was a member of the Education and Childcare Covid-19 response team. In January 2021 I was formally assigned to the role of MDH school health consultant. In this role I provide technical assistance and consultation to school nurses and leaders, lead and advocate for policy and practices to improve the health of MN students and provide and facilitate education and training to school nurses.
Previously, I worked for 23 years in St. Paul Public Schools as a Licensed School Nurse and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, where I provided care to students of all ages and abilities, program management, mentoring for new nurses and grant management. I have additional leadership experiences include work as a clinic manager for Gillette Children’s Hospital outpatient clinic and nurse manager in employee health at Regions Hospital.
In past years I served as President and Legislative co-chair of the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota and MN School Nurse of the Year in 2005. I was inducted into the NASN Academy of Fellows in 2007 and served on many NASN committees and conference presenter. In 1999 and 2005, I authored these chapters in The School Nurse Source Book of Individual Healthcare Plans, Overview of Individual Healthcare Plans, The Uniqueness and Relatedness of Individual Healthcare Plans to other Educational and Health related plans, and Delegation of Nursing Activities.
I am passionate about the contribution that school nurses make to the health, well-being and educational success of all students.