Lillian Farrell, NJSSNA's 2016 recipient of Excellence in School Nursing Award. Ms. Farrell received her BSN from Rutgers University and received her school nurse certification from Seton Hall. In addition, she completed her MS in Health Services and Wellness Promotion; is a certified health education specialist (CHES); certified Intrinsic Coach for Health and a Board Certified Holistic Nurse (HN-BC). She is currently working on a Whole Health Educator Certification. She has been employed in the Sparta School District for the past 17 years and is currently practicing in a middle school serving sixth, seventh and eighth graders. She has extensive experience in health education, counseling, wellness and emergency planning. She was instrumental in helping one school receive a bronze level award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, initiated a Staff Bike Club, wrote and received grants for wellness programs including staff wellness, health education and musical medicine. She also has brought multiple health related education programs to school to raise awareness about heath and wellness topics, collaborated with staff and administration creating a Food Allergy Awareness Day and fundraising walks for chronic medical conditions. Ms. Farrell has received the 2010 Northern NJ/Rockland County Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Diabetes School Nurse of the Year award . She was nominated for the NJ Best Practices and Governor’s Teacher Award for Family Life Program and was interviewed by Medikidz for an epilepsy health education comic book. Ms. Farrell’s effort in promoting healthy eating were highlighted in “Child Obesity: Sharing What Works” published by the Southern Collaborative on Obesity Reduction Efforts. She also participated in a research study with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to track obesity trends in students over a three year period. Her school health program was featured in Family Circle Magazine.
Ms. Farrell has served on the Sussex County School Nurses Association programming committee, volunteers at a Muscular Dystrophy Camp during the summer and attended trip to Haiti with Nurchers (nurses educators) organization. She has been described as a lifelong learner who seeks knowledge and understanding to help others and improve their quality of life. In doing so, she has improved the school health climate and culture and has truly embraced the paradigm shift from preventing illness to promoting wellness.