Mitchell Elementary School nurse named South Carolina School Nurse of the Year
January 12, 2016
The South Carolina Association of School Nurses announced recently that the South Carolina School Nurse of the Year is Lidie Collier of Mitchell Math and Science Elementary School.
Ms. Collier graduated from the College of Charleston with a degree in Health Science before going to Nursing School. Her nursing background includes medicine, surgery, neurology and geriatrics. She has been the full time nurse at Mitchell Elementary for the last four years.
“Being recognized by my peers for what I do every day is an incredible honor,” said Ms. Collier. “Parents trust their children’s health to school nurses and it’s a responsibility we all take seriously. This is my life’s passion and working with our students is a very rewarding experience.”
Ms. Collier is described by her colleagues as being cheerful, confident, and a competent nurse whose quality of practice is excellent. While being a school nurse at Mitchell Elementary focuses on the general well-being of 339 students, Ms. Collier goes above and beyond every day.
She addresses known risk factors for heart disease and obesity with students by doing BMI measurements, modeling good nutrition school wide using USDA guidelines and promoting an emphasis on increased physical activity. She also writes grants to provide fresh fruit and vegetables as a daily snack for students.
“We congratulate Lidie on her recognition and thank her for the passion she brings everyday as she serves the students at Mitchell Elementary,” said Melissa Prendergast, CCSD Director of Nursing Services. “She is a wonderful example of the professional school nurse. She recognizes the direct correlation between health and academic success and is committed to the health and wellness of the whole child, as well as the whole school.”
Ms. Collier was the Charleston County School District’s 2014-2015 Nursing Services Employee of the Year. In January 2014, she was recognized by being invited to the Charleston County School District’s Superintendent’s Breakfast and honored for her high visibility as a positive role model. She was also recognized by CCSD in June 2014 for being a model employee.
Ms. Collier will be recognized as the South Carolina School Nurse of the Year at the South Carolina School Nurse Conference award ceremony on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Charleston Convention Center.
