Andover Town, School Health Officials Win Community Service Award

ANDOVER, MA — Andover's top town and school health officials shared the Andover Chamber of Commerce's 2021 Community Service Award, the school district said.

The award went to Andover Public Schools Director of Nursing Rita Casper, Andover Director of Public Health Tom Carbone and Dr. Glenn Newsome of Lawrence General Hospital.

The award "acknowledged the dedication of health care professionals in the Merrimack Valley and their response to the COVID-19 pandemic," the district said in a news release.

“While I’ve only known Rita for a few months, I know that her years of service to our district has benefited the health and well-being of our entire community,” Superintendent Magda Parvey said. “As a first responder, Rita approaches her work with a commitment and dedicated focus on public health. Her collaboration with our school nurses, Tom Carbone and the town’s Health Division has allowed us to approach the COVID-19 crisis as a team. Their work together has strengthened the town’s ability to protect those we serve.”

“Rita and our nurses worked as a team and encouraged, comforted, and led our district reopening during the pandemic with fortitude, gentleness, and grace,” School Committee Chairperson Susan McCready said. “Rita and her team model what is best about APS, teamwork, leadership and dedication to their profession. It is an honor to recognize their work.”

The Andover Public Schools nurse team was also commended.

“Every year, the Andover Chamber celebrates the great contributions made by outstanding individuals, but this year was unique in so many ways,” Andover Chamber Chairman Paul Salafia said. “We owe a debt of gratitude to these amazing people who, often at their own risk, have given us all a path to live a more normal life.”

Casper has been with the district for 16 years and leads the nursing team.

"Throughout her tenure, Casper has led numerous public health initiatives for the district’s staff and students, including the CPR program, influenza and COVID-19 vaccination clinics, and the health courses taught at the TOP program, which serves Andover and North Andover students from ages 18-22," the district said. "Casper’s expertise has earned her international recognition. In 2019, she traveled to Sweden, where she presented on the role of the School Nurse in substance abuse prevention in response to the opioid crisis."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.