This post is grounded in a recent open-access article in the American Journal of Public Health titled “Firearm Violence Prevention in Peril: Protecting Our Progress in Public Health.” The article issues an urgent call: the gains we’ve made in reducing firearm injuries and deaths are now at risk, and this is a moment when… Continue reading The Relentless School Nurse: “Firearm Violence Prevention in Peril” – What School Nurses Must Do Now

There are moments in public health that stop us cold — when policy changes are not abstractions, but a created crisis in real time. The announced end of SNAP and WIC benefits for millions of families is one of those moments. These programs have been lifelines, ensuring children arrive at school nourished, focused, and ready… Continue reading The Relentless School Nurse: The Nutrition Safety Net Will Unravel on November 1st…

This week, I had a deeply resonant conversation with Donna Gaffney, a psychotherapist, nurse, and author of Courageous Well Being for Nurses. She asked me two simple yet powerful questions that delve into the heart of every school nurse’s experience, especially now: “What do you need to stay in your position?” and then, “When do… Continue reading The Relentless School Nurse: What I Need to Stay-And When I know It’s Time to Go; A Conversation with Donna Gaffney

Vaccines save lives—period. Public officials spreading falsehoods about immunizations endanger children, families, and entire school communities. As school nurses, we are guided by science, ethics, and an unwavering commitment to protect the health of our communities. In this timely OpEd, my colleagues Teri Mills and Donna Gaffney, The OpEd Nurses, confront the dangerous misinformation being… Continue reading The Relentless School Nurse: Public Health Demands Truth, Not Conspiracy

After decades in school health, I’ve learned that the most powerful public health movements begin with storytelling—real people speaking hard truths with heart. That’s exactly what’s happening with Grandparents for Vaccines, a movement that refuses to let disinformation drown out lived experience. Launched on Grandparents Day 2025, this volunteer-led campaign is fueled by love, memory,… Continue reading The Relentless School Nurse: Grandparents Are Speaking Out—And We Should All Be Listening