Russell Elementary School Nurse Earns Recognition for Educational Campaign

For her efforts in educating the public about meningitis and its vaccine, Christine Chapman, a registered nurse and school nurse at in the (HSD), is being recognized by the National Association of School Nurses as a winner of the 2010 Voices of Meningitis Challenge, according to an HSD press release.

Chapman is one of five winners who earned a trip to the 2011 Annual NASN Conference in Washington, D.C. this July. She will share the experience of her educational campaign about meningitis through a presentation.

She was motivated to take the challenge after attending a session at the NASN conference last summer.

“A mother and her son, who is a survivor of meningitis, spoke and shared their experience with the disease," Chapman said. "They asked for help in spreading the word about the meningitis vaccination. The disease caused the boy to lose a foot and the fingers from one hand."

Chapman started her campaign with presentations to the nurses of the district. She had information for parents at the immunization clinic held during the HSD Back-to-School Fair, as well as during kindergarten information meetings.

Her presentation includes a large stuffed bear wearing a pin in support of the vaccine. The age range for the vaccine is 11 to 18 years old, but college-age students can get it as well.