Andrea Gansen, BSN, RN, NCSN

I want to commend Andrea Gansen for her exceptional compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the students and families she serves. Andrea has been a dedicated nurse at Children’s Hospital Colorado since 2003, and I have had the privilege of working with her in multiple departments and roles over the past 20 years. Her work since joining the School Health team in 2020 has further highlighted her remarkable ability to lead with empathy, clinical expertise, and a deep understanding of the whole child.

In her role supporting five schools within the community, Andrea serves as the primary voice for medical accommodation in the educational setting. She collaborates closely with school staff, ensuring students’ medical needs are met while promoting an inclusive and supportive environment. Her calm, respectful, and thoughtful approach has earned her the trust of administrators, teachers, and families alike. She is often sought out for guidance on concerns that extend beyond traditional medical issues because those around her recognize her as a reliable, compassionate problem-solver. Andrea consistently demonstrates that school nursing is not only about managing health conditions, it is about fostering dignity, safety, and wellbeing for every child.

One particular example illustrates the depth of her commitment. Andrea was working with a sixth-grade student who repeatedly arrived at the health office wearing a hooded sweatshirt, which was not permitted under school policy. When Andrea spoke with her, the student confided that she was using the hood to hide severely tangled hair she was too embarrassed to reveal. After encouraging the student to try brushing it out at home and following up the next week, Andrea learned that the family had attempted to help but were unable to resolve the issue. Understanding how heavily this weighed on the student, Andrea offered her reassurance and support.

When the student trusted her enough to remove the hood, Andrea discovered that nearly 80 percent of the girl’s hair was matted into a dense knot close to her scalp. Andrea attempted to do what she could in the moment but soon realized professional assistance would be needed. She reached out to her personal hairstylist, who not only provided guidance but generously offered to fix the student’s hair at no cost. Andrea contacted the guardian, coordinated the visit, and ensured the student felt comfortable throughout the process. After four hours in the salon, the student returned to school with her hair fully restored and a renewed sense of confidence.

The following Monday, she came directly to find Andrea, smiling proudly with her hood down and her posture lifted. Andrea later shared that this small moment of joy transformed what had been an emotionally challenging week across her schools. More importantly, her actions prevented the student from experiencing humiliation, social isolation, or long-term emotional impact. Instead, Andrea created a safe space for the student to be vulnerable and offered the kind of compassionate intervention that can change a young person’s entire outlook.

This example reflects the nurse Andrea is every day. She sees the needs that are not always spoken out loud. She responds with patience, without judgment, and with a sincere desire to uplift the children and families in her care. She continually goes beyond the expectations of her role, embodying the true spirit and purpose of the DAISY Award.