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Thomas, who works as a school nurse at the Roosevelt School, received the New York State Association of School Nurses’ 2017 Award for Excellence in School Nursing for Westchester and Putnam counties.
The organization said she was selected because of her exemplary work as a school nurse in diagnosis, communication, leadership, education, outcomes identification, ethics and other areas. Her colleagues nominated her for the award, which she received at a dinner in Yorktown Heights last week on National School Nurse Day. She was one of six school nurses statewide who received an Award for Excellence.
Thomas said she was excited to receive the award.
"I was tickled by it,” Thomas said. “I don’t think you can get enough pats on the back.
School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success and lifelong achievement and health of students.
“Recognizing ourselves as playing a critical role in improving the health and wellness of our students is an important part of realizing the contributions that school nurses make each day,” Betsy Williams, president of the statewide group, said in announcing the awards Wednesday. “It is with our knowledge and support that children with chronic conditions can have a successful school year by bridging the gap between home, medical providers and school.”
In addition to her practice at Roosevelt School, she works with nurses throughout the district and serves as the liaison between the nurses and the district administration. She visits all the school buildings as needed, does all the scheduling and substitutes, and has other responsibilities.
“I love working with children," Thomas said.
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