SPS Health Services Coordinator named Oregon School Nurse Administrator of the Year

The Oregon School Nurses Association has named Springfield Public Schools Health Services Coordinator Tanya Martin, RN, BSN, CPN its 2023 Oregon School Nurse Administrator of the Year.

The announcement was made in April at the Oregon School Nurses Spring Conference. The selection committee reviewed letters of nomination submitted by district employees and based their criteria on five key areas: Standards of Practice, Care Coordination, Leadership, Quality Improvement and Community and Public Health. The award was kept secret from Martin until the announcement was made.

“It was a huge surprise. I felt really honored to be standing in a room full of exceptional, phenomenal school nurses,” said Martin. “So many of them have been influential as I've grown in my career and have mentored, taught, and supported me. It felt like an honor to be recognized for this award in front of all of them.”

Martin has been with the Springfield Public School district for eight years. Nomination letters submitted by administrators noted her skilled leadership and contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other nominators praised Martin’s support for the nurses in each school and focus on the wellbeing of every student, every day.

“If I think about the ultimate goal of school nursing as advocating for our students and their health in our world, their health is our top priority so they can learn and be in the best frame of mind to learn,” said Martin. “Then if we step back from that, that's my goal, to support all of the departments so that we're working the best that we can in order to advocate for the students and their families and also our staff here so that our staff feel comfortable knowing that the kids are safe enough to be learning.”