SCHOOL NURSE TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Annually, RICSNA publicly recognizes a Rhode Island school nurse who has demonstrated excellence in school nursing practice and leadership in school health.

Eligibility Information

Nominee must be:

  1. A registered professional nurse.
  2. A current ACTIVE member of RICSNA and NASN and has maintained membership for at least two years (as defined in the RICSNA By-laws, amended 10/2023).
  3. Currently employed in a full-time position working as a school nurse in RI.

Nominations

An online nomination form will be made available. Nominations must be submitted through the online nomination form.

Nominations may be submitted by anyone who has had a direct working relationship with the candidate. A school nurse may also self-nominate. Up to two letters of recommendations may also be attached to this nomination form. The nominee’s resume and high quality photo of the nominee are required for submission. As such, this should be an open nomination process to allow for collaboration with the nominee and facilitate collection of pertinent supporting documentation.

Selection Process

Nominations will be selected by a committee of at least three judges with expertise in school nursing. RICSNA Board Members shall be eligible for nomination. Nominees and nominators may not serve on the selection committee. All nominees and nominator will be notified of the status of the nomination.

Questions

Please reach out to: Amy Thomas, RICSNA NASN Director at thomas.amy.elizabeth@gmail.com

Thank you for honoring a school nurse with your nomination!

How to Apply

Deadline

February 14, 2026

Nomination Form

The online nomination form is no longer available for this cycle.

Past Recipients 2020 - Present

2025 - Kathryn McKenna, Head Nurse at the Wheeler School in Providence, Rhode Island. Read more.

2023 - Sharon Pyne of SK

2020 - Denise Flores, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN, CSNT

Past Recipients 2000 - 2019

2016 - Deborah Vannoy

2015 - Kathleen Carrigan

2014 - Rita Kinniburgh

2013 - Bernadette McDowell

2012 - Marianne Adams

2011 - Deborah Svitil

2010 - Kathleen McCann

2009 - Linda Twardowski

2008 - Marie Grist

2007 - Linda Mendonca

2006- Sandi DeLack

2005 - Alice Brady

2004 - Nancy Sousa

2003 - Tracey Smith Dorry

2002 - Bonnie Defranco

2001 - MaryAnn Kish

2000- Wendy Krupa

Past Recipients 1987 - 1999

1999 - Diane O'Brien

1998 - Marie Radoccia

1997 - Jean Salley

1996 - Jan Watkinson

1995 - Lorraine Lemoine

1994 - Anne-Marie Kachanis

1993 - Lou Whitehouse

1992 - Marilyn Mattera

1991 - Mary Auger

1990 - Elaine Perotta

1989 - Ella Barry

1988 - Patricia Beauchine

1987 - Viviana McEaney