A school nurse with the Comal Independent School District was named among the top 10 nurses in the San Antonio Express-News Salute to Nurses on Mother’s Day, May 12.
Cindy Marroquin, R.N., the school nurse at Johnson Ranch Elementary School in Comal ISD, was the only school nurse chosen for the annual honor. Nominated by her husband, Marroquin was surprised by the award.
“Never in my life did I ever think I would receive this recognition,” said Marroquin, who has served as a school nurse for 17 years but has been in nursing for 40. “I proudly accept this not for me but for all my school nurse comadrés and especially the ones in Comal ISD. We are a close pack.”
She is the first to point out that school nurses are not just ice packs and Band-Aids. They are teachers, advocates and public health partners.
“I love to teach my kids at school,” Marroquin said. “I use the opportunity when they come to see me to teach them why their body is doing what it’s doing and how they can be proactive in their health. Our body is so awesome, and when they understand their faces light up. I love going into the classroom as well, when asked to teach a health class.”
Comal ISD’s Health Services Coordinator Courtney Nesloney, R.N., believes this honor is not only a testament to Marroquin’s dedication and professionalism, but also a testament to all school nurses.
“Having a school nurse included in the Salute to Nurses really speaks to the diversity of nurses and their practice across the city and country,” Nesloney said. “Today, the school nurse treats staff members and students; monitors and reports infectious disease occurrences; intervenes during mental health crises; educates staff and students on wellness and disease prevention; and prepares for mass casualty events. Fortunately, Comal ISD recognizes that every student deserves to have a registered school nurse on campus.”
Comal ISD is made up of 30 campuses encompassing 589 square miles including portions of five counties. As one of the largest school district’s geographically in the state of Texas, District leaders understand the important role that every campus nurse plays in the health and safety of every student, and they are grateful for their expertise and professionalism.
-From left, Comal ISD’s Johnson Ranch Elementary Fourth-grader Katelynn Rae knows she can count on School Nurse Cindy Marroquin, R.N. for just about anything. Marroquin was named as one of the top 10 nurses in San Antonio on Mother’s Day, May 12, in the San Antonio Express-News Salute to Nurses.
-Salute to Nurses was published by the San Antonio Express-News on Sunday, May 12.