Anne H. Sheetz, Massachusetts

The National Association of State School Nurse Consultants, Inc. (NASSNC) has named Anne H. Sheetz, MPH, CNAA, recipient of the State School Nurse Consultant of the Year Award.

Anne H. Sheetz began her career as the Director of the School Health Unit of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in 1989 at a time when nurses in the school systems worked in isolation. Through her efforts, the first Massachusetts School Health Manual was written and published and a linkage with the University of Massachusetts was developed to provide ongoing professional educational opportunities for both new and established school nurses.

Ms. Sheetz's creativity was evident in the establishment of a school health services grant program. When funds became available for improvements in school health services, Ms. Sheetz seized the opportunity to design a community-based model school health program known as the Enhanced School Health Services (ESHS) program. Through ESHS grants, more than 100 school districts have provided a full-time certified nurse in each building, developed a coordinated school health program, implemented a plan to link students with primary care providers and public health insurance programs, and developed management information systems.

In addition to her work in building the system of school nursing, Ms. Sheetz's contributions to the promotion of coordinated school health programming and professional education in school health were recognized by her medical colleagues when, in 2002, she received the Martin C. Ushkow Community Service Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on School Health.

Ms. Sheetz's leadership, tenacity, creativity and far-reaching vision distinguish her as an outstanding State School Nurse Consultant.

We congratulate Anne on her dedication and accomplishments.