School nurses, PE teacher recognized for service to public school students, staff
February 23, 2010
HORRY COUNTY, SC – February 18, 2010 – Two school nurses have been recognized for their professionalism and service to South Carolina’s public schools.
Pamela Allsbrook, a registered nurse serving students in the Horry County School District, has been named School Nurse (RN) of the Year and Linda Waters, a licensed practical nurse in the Greenville County School District, has been named School Health LPN of the Year.
The annual awards are presented by the South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to a licensed practical nurse and a registered nurse who provide outstanding health services while working in a school setting.
Allsbrook has spent most of her 12-year school nursing career at South Conway Elementary School. Principal Donna Hooks recalls that “from the child who fell at recess and had an minor cut to the severely disabled child with a feeding tube, Mrs. Allsbrook always took great care to assure that each child’s medical needs were met with love and expertise.”
District officials say Allsbrook’s expert knowledge, diligence, commitment and flexibility earned her recognition as a role model for other school nurses and led to her promotion to lead float nurse. In addition to those duties, Allsbrook orients new school nurses and sees that her district’s nurses and staff are trained to respond in the event of cardiac arrest.
Under Allsbrook’s leadership, students who may not otherwise receive dental care get those services through partnerships with the Horry Georgetown Technical College’s Dental Program and local dentists.
During the summer, Allsbrook works at Camp Burnt Gin, a camp for children with special health care needs, and at Camp LaVida, a mission education camp. She’s a member of the South Carolina Association of School Nurses, where she assists with providing professional development for school nurses statewide.
Linda Waters has 15 years of school nursing experience and is on the staff at Sevier Middle School. Students, co-workers and parents respect her knowledge, professional demeanor and dedication to acting in students’ best interests. They say Waters answers students’ needs promptly to minimize time away from class. She recognizes the necessity for students with chronic health conditions to manage their own health and is effective at working with children, their parents and health care practitioners to nurture independence.
Waters is a team player who trains eighth-grade students at her school as well as staff throughout the district in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). She worked with the district and DHEC to offer the H1N1 vaccine to all students. Waters is a member of the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses and the South Carolina Association of School Nurses.
The nurses group also presented its School Health Services Award to Pete Ellis, an innovative physical education teacher at Easterling Primary School in Marion School District One. This annual award goes to an individual or entity – other than a school nurse – who’s an
exemplary supporter of school nursing and school health promotion.
