Marilyn Asay, North Carolina

The National Association of State School Nurse Consultants, Inc. (NASSNC) recently named Marilyn Asay, RN, MS, as the recipient of the State School Nurse Consultant of the Year Award for 2002. Marilyn received this award at the annual meeting of the National Association of School Nurses in Orlando, Florida.

Marilyn has served as the state school nurse consultant for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, since 1987, providing leadership that has positively impacted the health and well being of the students of the state. During her tenure, the school nurse-to-student ratio has improved from 1:6000 to 1:2000. Her goal is to reduce that ratio to 1:750 by the year 2010.

She coordinated the four-year effort that resulted in the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Instruction's adoption of national school nurse certification as the required state standard for employment and a salary schedule that recognizes this achievement.

With her inclusive leadership style, Marilyn has developed strong partnerships with numerous North Carolina organizations and agencies by building awareness about how school nurses are essential components for promoting their organizational mission for children. She has been one of the pioneers for the establishment of school-based and school-linked health centers. Under her leadership, the number of centers has grown from six in 1993 to approximately 50.

She recently served as the president of the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants. Her vision and leadership were outstanding as she lead this national group while continuing to lead the school health program in her state. Through her leadership, the professional school nursing capacity to effectively meet the challenges of today's schools and tomorrow's students has been enhanced.