Jana models school nursing excellence in her dedication and compassion with children and families in child care, preschools, as well as, private and public schools. An example of her exceptional family centered care is her work caring for many children with unstable diabetes. She is always willing to go that extra mile, by going to their appointments with them at the Barbara Davis Center; frequently recreating health care plans, and providing daily support, which fosters independence and compliance with the students' diabetic care. Jana's ability to work with families from all walks of life in a caring and compassionate manner is appreciated by students, parents and staff in Mapleton.

Jana instigated the creation of a skin care health plan with skin care nurses in Children's Hospital, which will be utilized for prevention and treatment of students with risk for developing or having pressure sores. For my students that require total care and are wheelchair bound, this new health care plan improved my education of school staff and decreased the risk of pressure sores. Jana's work with pharmacists in Children's Hospital on the procedure for medication disposal in schools, completely revamped our processes, which increase safety for students and decreased the risk of environmental contamination.

This spring a fellow nurse had to undergo chemotherapy and Jana stepped up and took on a large share of her duties, attending weekly meetings, moderating monthly staff meetings, modifying quality measures for school health, attending shared governance meetings and other hospital wide meetings. Jana does all of this with a smile and a joke because she cares about all of us and is willing to do whatever is needed.

Jana is so deserving of this award, after over thirty years in school nursing Jana has brought her compassion, knowledge, humor, steadfastness and warmth to children, coworkers and school nurses in Colorado.