Recipient of Nursing’s 2013 Lina Rodgers Award

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) announces the recipient of the 2013 Lina Rodgers Award honoring excellence in the school health profession.  This year’s recipient is Jennifer Paolini, RN from Chauncey H. Duker School in McHenry.  Mrs. Paolini was nominated by her school principal and staff.  In their nomination, school representatives praised Mrs. Paolini for being the “front line” nurse that shows sensibility, good judgment, discretion, and enthusiasm to promote wellness and reduce the spread of illness in her school and community.  In addition to working closely with students, parents and school staff, Mrs. Paolini collaborates with MCDH’s Health Promotion and Communicable Disease Programs. 

MCDH hosted its annual school nurse conference at McHenry County College on October 29. This year’s conference focused on behavioral health Issues in school aged children. Speakers included Dr. Michael Feld from Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health, Dr. Zack Sikora and Shira Greenfield from Centegra Behavioral Health, Chris Colosimo, School Psychologist from Nippersink District #2 and Jessica Gerdes and Michele Carmichael from the Illinois State Board of Education. Over 100 registrants attended the conference including surrounding counties. 

Since its inception 111 years ago, school nursing has had an enduring partnership with public health. Lina Rodgers spent her nursing career advocating the importance of disease prevention by promoting nutrition, exercise, health education, dental and hearing screenings, and the introduction of paper towels for hand drying. She authored the first book for school nurses, published numerous articles on school health, and continued to speak at domestic and international conferences until her death in 1946.