The Mississippi School Nurse Association (MSNA) announces that the School Nurse Consultant positions
within
the
Mississippi
Department
of
Education
(MDE),
Office
of
Healthy
Schools,
have
been filled by Donnis Harris, MSN, RN, NCSN, and Tammie Reeder, MSN, RN, NCSN. Both school nurses bring
extensive
leadership
experience
and
longstanding
commitments
to
school
nursing
in
Mississippi. Their hiring underscores the state’s continued dedication to strengthening health services in K–12 schools and supporting the nurses who provide essential care to students statewide.
**Donnis Harris, MSN, RN, NCSN**
MSNA recognizes the selection of Donnis Harris, an accomplished school nurse with 25 years of experience serving Mississippi schools. Harris previously worked in the Quitman School District as
Lead
Nurse,
where
she
provided
clinical
leadership,
coordinated
school
health
programs,
and
mentored school nursing staff.
Harris
holds
a
Master
of
Science
in
Nursing
(MSN)
and
is
a
Nationally
Certified
School
Nurse
(NCSN). She has been an active MSNA member for more than 22 years, serving as East Region President, State
President,
and
in
many
additional
leadership
roles.
She
currently
serves
on
the
MSNA
Executive Committee and on the Mississippi National Association of School Nurses (NASN) Board of Directors.
In her role as School Nurse Consultant, Harris has outlined several key priorities. Providing support to each school nurse and fostering stronger connections among nurses statewide will be central to her work.
She
has
identified
the
urgent
need
for
foundational
training
for
new
school
nurses
and
recognizes the importance of ongoing professional development.
She also plans to collaborate with medical entities involved in school health to ensure Mississippi school nurses receive timely updates and evidence-based practices relevant to the issues they face every
day.
“I
am
looking
forward
to
serving
Mississippi
School
Nurses
by
helping
them
keep
students safe, healthy, and ready to learn,” Harris said.
**Tammie Reeder, BSN, RN, NCSN**
MSNA also recognizes the selection of Tammie Reeder, a respected and highly experienced school nurse known for her longstanding leadership at the district, regional, and state levels. Reeder served the New Albany Schools as Health Services Coordinator and Elementary School Lead Nurse and has provided
over
20
years
of
service
to
MSNA,
including
roles
as
North
Region
President
and
currently
as the Mississippi Nurses Association Liaison on the MSNA Executive Committee.
Reeder’s
depth
of
knowledge
and
sustained
commitment
to
professional
excellence
equip
her
well
for the consultant role, where she will help strengthen school health programs, mentor school nursing professionals, and support districts across Mississippi.
Team building
and
providing
consistent,
trusted
guidance
are
essential
to
Reeder.
"My
vision
and
goals for the State School Nurse Consultant is that Donnis and I work to pull all Mississippi School Nurses together as a team, to provide factual, research-based guidance in school nurse practice, and to provide support whenever needed. We want to be a consistent resource for all school nurses!"
At
this
time,
both
school
nurse
consultants
may
be
contacted
via
email
at
lking@mde.k12.org. More information, including contact information, will be shared by MDE in the upcoming weeks.
**Statement from MSNA President Jill Zattoni, BSN, RN (2024–26) **
"MSNA is excited to have two great nurses serving our state as School Nurse Consultants through MDE. Donnis and Tammie have been leaders in their schools, regions, and the state School Nurse Organization for many years. They provide a wealth of information to help both new school nurses and experienced school nurses organize and utilize our data, knowledge, and skills to care for students and communities across the state.