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For Immediate Release
January 28, 2026
Contact: Jennifer McNally
National Association of School Nurses
jmcnally@nasn.org
SILVER SPRING, MD — The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) has named Congresswoman Jen Kiggans of Virginia’s Second Congressional District as the recipient of the 2026 Lillian Wald Legislator/Public Policy Award for her introduction of the NURSE (Nurses for Under-Resourced Schools Everywhere) Act.
Named for Lillian Wald, the first school nurse, the award recognizes a legislator or public policy official who has supported or uniquely contributed to NASN, school nursing, or school health services.
Congresswoman Kiggans proudly represents Virginia’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore, and parts of Chesapeake, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Suffolk, and Franklin City. A former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and board-certified Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Kiggans brings both military and healthcare experience to her work in public service.
“Congresswoman Kiggans exemplifies the spirit of the Lillian Wald Award through her lifelong commitment to service, health care, and advocacy for families and communities,” said NASN President Lynn Nelson, MSN, RN, NCSN. “Her background as a nurse practitioner and her dedication to patient-centered care give her a unique and valuable perspective on the policies that impact school health services and the well-being of children and families across the country.”
Prior to serving in Congress, Kiggans served for 10 years in the U.S. Navy as a helicopter pilot, completing two deployments to the Persian Gulf. Following her military service, she used her GI Bill benefits to pursue a career in nursing, graduating from Old Dominion University’s Nursing School and Vanderbilt University’s Nurse Practitioner program. She went on to work in long-term care and primary care settings in the Virginia Beach and Norfolk areas, advocating for patients, families, and caregivers.
Kiggans previously served three sessions in the Virginia State Senate, where she championed legislation focused on election security, establishing a Military Spouse Liaison, and improving care and oversight in long-term care facilities. She brings that same commitment to civility, collaboration, and effective governance to her work in Congress.
A proud Navy wife and mother of four, Congresswoman Kiggans lives in Virginia Beach with her family.
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About NASN
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) is a nonprofit specialty nursing organization, organized in 1968 and incorporated in 1977, representing school nurses exclusively. NASN has close to 19,000 members and 50 affiliates, including the District of Columbia and overseas. The mission of NASN is to optimize student health and learning by advancing the practice of school nursing. To learn more about NASN, please visit us on the Web at www.nasn.org or call 866-627-6767.
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