School Nurse of the Year
The Delaware School Nurse Association (DSNA) accepts nominations by January 31st. The winner is notified in May.
Download the 2018 application.
Download the award overview.
Friends of School Nurses
Nominations Due March 1st of each year.
Download the nomination Form.
Every March, DSNA seek nominees for the Friends of School Nurses Awards. Recipients of this award are persons, agencies, etc. that have partnered with the Delaware school nurses:
- to improve the health and educational success of children and youth in the state of Delaware
- to advance the practice of school nursing in Delaware
- to promote student success through the advancement of school health services in Delaware schools
- to promote school nurses as leading experts in the school community regarding school health issues
Previous Award Recipients
School Nurse of the Year Honorees
Every year since 1985 the Delaware School Nurse Association has chosen a School Nurse of the Year (SNOY). The following is a list of the Delaware SNOY.
2018: Elizabeth Light, Indian River School District
2017: Jan Marcin, Red Clay School District
2016: Chriss Zimmerman, Christ the Teacher School
2015: Megan Fioravanti, Red Clay School District
2014: Karen Kleinschmidt, Christina School District
2012: Susan Hoffmann, Caesar Rodney School District
2011: Loretta Newsom, Appoquinimink School District
2010: Pat Guilday. Brandywine School District
2009: Jane Boyd, Indian River School District
2008: Anne Biddle, Newark Charter School
2007: Rebecca King, Red Clay Consolidated School District
2006: Denise Crowley, Brandywine School District
2005: Maryann Cavanaugh, Red Clay Consolidated School District
2004: Nancy Nadel, Red Clay Consolidated School District
2003: Barbara Stapen, Colonial School District
2002: Yvonne Tetreault, Christina School District
2001: Mary Lou Dishop, Red Clay Consolidated School District
2000: Gail Short, Woodbridge School District
1999: Madalyn Schultz, Tower Hill School
1998: Susan Shank, Milford School District
1997: Susan Leininger, Colonial School District
1996: Beth Mattey, Brandywine School District
1995: Rosanne Brandau, Christina School District
1994: Judy Zahnow, Red Clay Consolidated School District
1993: Jane Baker, Indian River School District
1992: Ann Lawson, Capital School District
1991: Edith Vincent, Department of Public Instruction
1990: Katherine Gordy, Sussex Vo-Tech School District
1989: Libby Thomas, Christiana School District
1988: Mary Pufnock, Capital School District
1987: Pat Nemith, Caesar Rodney School District
1986: Janet Cottone, Christiana School District
1985: Earlene Gillian-Smith, Christiana School District
Friends of School Nurses
2014
May
Barbara Blair from the Epilepsy Foundations for her many years of advocacy for children with Epilepsy . Also, Barbara has presented the condition of Epilepsy at the new school nurse certification classes as well as, her annual state-wide Epilepsy updates to school nurses.
2013
May
Nemours Health in recognition of their outreach and partnership with school nurses through NemoursLink. Claudia Kane and Dr. Agida Atkinson received the awards on behalf of the Nemours organization.
2011
November
1. Kristen Bennett, RN, MSN Public Health Nursing Director, Division of Public Health. Ms Bennett has developed a partnership with DSNA to facilitate the many supports offered by Public Health, such as the immunization and TB clinics.
2. Suzanne Hamel, Department of Education, e-School Support. Ms. Hamel has provided leadership in the development and training of e-school, the statewide health data base for Delaware public schools.
2010
November
1. Lt. Governor Matt Denn Long time friend of school nurses and advocate for the children and families in Delaware. He First served as Insurance Commissioner and during time personally took on the cases of hundreds of Delawareans being unfairly treated by their insurance companies. Most importantly for our children he introduced legislation allowing parents to purchase comprehensive health coverage from the state’s CHIP program to make coverage for kids available at an affordable price.
2. Laura Gannon, Trainer/Educator Immunization Program, Division of Public Health. Ms. Gannon has partnered with the Delaware school nurses and has enabled school nurses to be the vaccine gate-keeper, promoter and educator for students and families. Ms. Gannon has helped develop and facilitate the vac attack program, the immunization data collection and surveillance program this is now embedded in the state-wide school health software, e-school.
2009
May
1. The Delaware Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs Large donations of funds to purchase vision testing equipment to school nurses statewide
November
1. Sen. Thomas Carper The Senator has always come or sent a representative to our annual School Nurse of the Year dinner. Outstanding efforts on issues related to children's health include childhood obesity advocacy, sponsorship of the Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) Act and the Labeling Education and Nutrition (LEAN) Act. A quote from Senator Carper states: "Obesity is a growing problem in our nation where more than one in three Americans are overweight. With our busy lifestyles and more Americans eating out, diners need easy access to nutritional information. Our menu labeling compromise is a common-sense solution that provides consumers with the tools and resources they need to make healthier decisions when eating out.”
2. John Carney – Lt. Gov Fitness Challenge, promoting physical activity for youth.
3. Monica Adduci, Deputy Director within the Public Health Division of Sanofi Pasteur pharmaceuticals (a manufacturer of immunizations). Monica has served on the DE Immunization Coalition where many work together to promote immunizations and find creative ways to educate families. Monica and her company have been long-time sponsors of DSNA events/educational seminars including dinners, lunches, speakers, etc.
2008
November
1. Sen. Bethany Hall-Long A nurse!, Cancer Task force, and UD professor who regularly supports school nurses and has appeared as a guest speaker at DSNA events.
2. Liz Harrod Editor of the Wilmington News Journal’s DE MOMS supplement where school nurses write a monthly column. She has been instrumental in promoting DSNA and school nurses in the media.
2007
November
1. Gov. Ruth Ann Minner Children's health, supporting our efforts on childhood obesity; we dedicated a DSNA conference to this and she attended, anti-smoking legislation, work with cancer.
2. Sec. Valerie Woodruff Wellness centers in high schools