By BERNADETTE SUKLEY

Special to The Press

Nannette Lingenfelter, RN, Northwestern Lehigh Middle School nurse was chosen as the recipient of the School Nurse Excellence Award for the Northeast Region of Pennsylvania for 2023.

Her peers nominated Lingenfelter for her outstanding service to students and staff at the school.

This award makes Lingenfelter eligible for the prestigious National Association of School Nurses 2024 Pennsylvania School Nurse of the Year Award.

Lingenfelter was recognized at the annual awards ceremony April 1 in Hershey.

Middle school staff and students gave Lingenfelter a cupcake party send off on March 31.

Lingenfelter commented on her award recognition and work.

“I was surprised,” Lingenfelter said. “This is the first time I’ve received this kind of award.”

Lingenfelter has been at Northwestern Middle School since 2012, and has been a school nurse for 21 years.

“School nurses are unique individuals,” she said. “We’re the health support in an education system which is pretty challenging.

“You never know what’s going to come through your door.”

Lingenfelter’s peers called her a superhero.

“Well, I feel we are all superheroes - all school nurses deserve this award,” she says.

Individuals nominated for this award must be a school nurse for three years, and must go over and above their normal school nurse duties.

Lingenfelter serves on the board of the Lehigh County School Nurse Advisory Board, she also serves as the lead in the Greater Lehigh Valley School Nurse Association.

“The school nurses support each other,” she said.

She said her job has so many ups and downs.

“COVID was a real test,” she said. “Not just the school system but the health system in general.

“There was a lot of case management, a lot of communication, making sure everyone was getting the care they needed.

“Making sure the parents understood the quarantine and keeping those who were healthy safe.”

Lingenfelter will be told if she’s won the National Association of School Nurses 2024 Pennsylvania School Nurse of the Year Award in spring 2024.