Heather Edwards
Akron Children’s Heather Edwards, clinical coordinator, school-based health services, has been named 2024 Liaison of the Year by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN) for her work promoting certification on the state level.
NBCSN’s mission is to advance the health and learning of students and the wellness of the school community through a rigorous national certification process for school nurses. NBCSN’s vision is that a nationally certified school nurse will safeguard the health of every student to optimize learning and promote healthy communities.
“Heather has enthusiastically promoted national school nurse certification through her work in Ohio,” said Eden Donahue, DNP, RN, PHN, NCSN, president, National Board for Certification of School Nurses. “She has helped to increase understanding of the certification process and to promote national credentialing from organizing an in-person certification session, to addressing nurses’ questions about certification, to advocating for a scholarship for certification. She is a true ambassador.”
Heather serves as the committee chair for Akron Children’s school health shared governance council, where she plays a crucial role in promoting certification among school nurses.
“Heather has been instrumental in guiding and supporting our nurses through the certification process, providing valuable resources, mentorship and encouragement every step of the way,” said her nominator. “She regularly sends practice questions to the nurses along with resources. Her unwavering dedication to fostering a culture of excellence in school nursing has significantly contributed to the professional growth and success of our nursing staff.”
In addition to promoting certification within school-based health services, Heather also promotes certification at the state level (including advocating for a scholarship to cover the cost). She is the Ohio Association of School Nurses representative and is on the board for Northeast Ohio Association of School Nurses.
“Heather is not only an advocate for school nursing but an advocate for the professional development and growth of our profession as a whole,” said her nominator. “She is a leader in her district and department.”
Heather will be presented with the award at the National Association of School Nurses Annual Conference in Chicago in June.
