Utah School Nurse of the Year 2011-2012 - Debra Hengst !

Our 2011-12 Utah School Nurse of the year is Debra Hengst.  Debra has made a career out of providing excellent nursing services to students and their families, as well as the communities in which she serves.  During her career she has worked in both  Nebo and Washington Counties. Debra received her nursing degree from Weber State University/College of Eastern Utah and in 1992 received her BSN from the University of Phoenix.  She served as the USNA president from 1990-92.
Debra is wiling to take on any assignment even if it means forging new ground, such as serving as the Medical Group Leader on the district’s Emergency Operations Team, serving on the Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, the Immunization Coalition, and the Community Health Emergency Response Committee.  She also serves as the health advisor to the district’s Special Education Board. Debra has been the Lead Nurse for the past 5 years in Washington County. With a full school assignment herself, she also works closely with an LPN who has 7 schools, signing all health care plans and acting as a mentor.
 “Debra is well respected by our nursing staff who collectively and unanimously selected her as their leader.  We view Debra as conscientious, hard working, and resourceful.  We appreciate the tenaciousness with which Debra researches to find answers to perplexing medical challenges on our behalf.  We respect the way she so effectively maintains the high standards of her own nursing profession while holding in high regard those of the education profession within which she serves.
Debra’s positive attitude is refreshing and inspiring.  Her interactions with parents, students, teachers, principals, secretaries, paraprofessionals, district administrators, doctors, public health officials, emergency response workers and other community members is always professional and her stable and even-keeled temperament has smoothed many a ruffled feather.
As a nurse, Debra is competent and compassionate.  As a teacher, coach and mentor, Debra is patient.  As a leader Debra is fair and respectful.  And like other good leaders, Debra has been content to let others shine.  She is humble and helpful and doesn’t need limelight to be happy.  But because our community, both the school and the county, has benefitted so greatly by Debra’s efforts, we would love to see Debra Hengst formally recognized for her contributions.”  LuAnne Forrest Ed.D.
Debra has been a volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity, is a member of the Quilt Guild of Utah County, and is active in her church organization. She enjoys cooking, interior decorating, handicrafts and gardening. Mostly she loves to spend time with her mother and son.

Previous School Nurses of the Year:
1998-99-Nan Mead
1999-2000-Peggy Nielsen
2000-01-Colleen Drake
2001-02-Margie Golden
2002-03-Carla Lott
2003-04-Lynne Calame
2004-05-Suzanne Livingston
2005-06-Deborah Milan-Niler
2006-07 - Mary Clark
2007-2008 Wendy Wood
2008-2009 Kim Lowe
2009-2010 Lucia Unzaga

2010-2011 Dana Olsen

2011-2012 Mary Ito Award
Shirley Stevens

Shirley has been a huge asset not only to her school but to the Utah School Nurse Association for a number of years.  She has been very involved with USNA, and also the advocacy committee promoting school nursing, with not only the legislature but also administrators at the office of Education for the State of Utah.  She has been very vocal, about the value of school nursing, and the need for more school nurses in our state.  The advocacy committee has encouraged nurses to have contact with their local legislators and shadow them for a few hours.  Shirley has been a model for doing this, whenever she has an opportunity to speak with a policymaker she is very well versed in issues that face school nurses today.  A few years ago she even invited Superintendent Shumway to follow her for a few hours.  He expressed appreciate to her for her willingness to educate him.  Her contacts with these key people, have allowed us ( as an organization) to develop relationships with organizations that support school nursing in times when we really need the support.  For instance, when we have had to fight bad bills that would harm schools and children in the State of Utah.

Shirley has put a lot of effort into learning about the new concussion bill, and guidelines from the CDC about concussion management in the schools.  She is the study site coordinator for Rolland Hall and works closely with a physician at the University of Utah on a research study on concussion recovery and testing in young people.  She has become an expert, and her school look to her for her invaluable insight and guidance. 

Shirley has been an example to all of us of what a school nurse should be.  We have all benefited from her unique contributions to school nursing. 

Thank you Shirley for all you do!

Nominated by Claudia Streuper

The Mary Ito Story
Mary Machiko Ito was a school nurse for an Indian Reservation in Wyoming as far back as anyone can remember. While most of us look forward to and count days until retirement, Mary Ito ’s “retirement” was unique. You see, upon her retirement, Mary moved to Utah and immediately found ways to get involved in nursing again.

Mary Ito was proud to be a school nurse and worked hard to keep up on continuing education credits to keep her nursing license current. She was a member of the Utah School Nursing Association, community health interest group and volunteered in the area program for the aging. Mary stayed active with school nursing activities in retirement by administering flu shots for 10 - 12 senior citizen centers every fall, participating in kindergarten vision screening in granite and jordan school districts, and even driving back to Wyoming to help out in her old schools.

Aside from her unwavering dedication to her role as a school nurse, Mary had many qualities that each of us strive every day to acheive. She has been described by her peers as having a seemingly unlimited giving personality, having genuine concern and love for those around her, and having a fantastic sense of humor. Wherever Mary was, she was sure to be accompanied by her famous pickles, six packs of coke, crochet pen holders, and, of course, her fortune cookies.

Mary Ito set the precedence in school nursing. Her dedication and love for her work is a stellar example of what each of us have inside. In 2000 the Utah School Nurse Association created an annual award in her honor, rightfully named the Mary Ito Award, to be presented to a school nurse who, like Mary, has also made a unique contribution to the discipline of school nursing.

Nomination Forms and Requirements

Utah School Nurse of the Year
Nomination Requirements - In order to be eligible for the award the nominee must be :
•  A Registered Professional Nurse
•  A Member of USNA Current and the Preceding Two Years
•  Have At Least Five Years Experience As A School Nurse

Address the Following Areas of Nursing Practice :
•  Provider of Client Care
•  Program Manager
•  Health Education
•  Professional Development
•  Political/Legislative Activity
•  Community Involvement
•  Research

Letters of Recommendation :
•  A Maximum of Six Letters May Be Submitted
•  The Letters May Be From School Nurse Colleagues, Administrators, Supervisors, Teachers, Parents, Students, etc.
•  The Letters of Recommendation Should Relate to the Topics Above
•  The Letters of Recommendation Should Describe Specific Issues or Topics Related to the Nominee's Qualifications for the Award

Nomination form

Mary Ito Award
Nomination requirements:  This award is given in her honor, to a school nurse who has made
unique contributions to school nursing by carrying on the inspirational
spirit of Mary Ito: to “Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much.”

Nomination form

Little Light Award
Given to school nurses who have received new college degrees, special certifications, School Nurse Certifications, Community Awards, District or School Awards, Research Projects, or something special we should acknowledge.

Nomination form