School Nurse of the Year 2007

The Michigan Association of School Nurses (MASN) is pleased to announce that Marybeth Jarosz has been selected as the Michigan School Nurse of the Year. Marybeth has been a RN for 40 years and has worked for Dearborn Public Schools since 1994. She is responsible for the provision of school health care services to general education students in grades pre-K to 12th grade in 8 buildings.

Marybeth exemplifies the role of a school nurse. She provides comprehensive health services to the 4500 students she serves and does so with unwavering dedication. Schools in Michigan rank the lowest in the nation for the ratio of school nurses for students. Marybeth is a strong advocate for the need for professional nurses in schools to provide quality healthcare for students in order that they can learn. The principals of the schools she is assigned speak of her skills, knowledge and professionalism. Today’s school nurses care for students who present to schools with complicated health needs. One parent of a child who is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy acknowledges that Marybeth was available to her child and family in making the transition to school easy, arranging accommodations so that she could be comfortable in class.

Julia Lecthenberg, MASN president states “Marybeth is truly an advocate for her students, parents and staff. If something needs to be done, Marybeth gets it done. She impresses all with her outgoing manner, her professionalism and her “can do” attitude. Marybeth is very deserving of the Michigan “School Nurse of the Year” award.”

Marybeth has also worked in a variety of health care settings before entering the school setting. Marybeth has received the MASN Presidents Award (2006), Wayne County RESA Ancillary Employee of the Year Award (2004), Madonna University Award for Nursing Excellence (1987). Marybeth is a current member of MASN, has held the Awards chair position, is on the legislative committee, and is a member of various professional organizations.

Marybeth Jarosz will be honored at MASN’s annual conference School Nurses: Empowered to Care, on May 8th, 2008 in Thompsonville, MI.