Pat Small has been working in the Stoughton Public Schools, MA for 25 years, 7 years as an Elementary Nurse, 5 years as the High School Nurse and 16 years as the Nursing Director (for 3 years the role overlapped). She not only oversees Health Services programs for her 4,000+ students and staff she is a liaison between the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), the Stoughton Board of Health and the members of the School Health Services Department. Pat also facilitates the MDPH Essential School Health Services (ESHS)Grant and completes all of the grant requirements. Pat is very dedicated to children in her school district and works to bring wellness to all that she meets. Pat worked to Coordinate a Dental Program "Healthy Smiles" to provide free dental care for Stoughton Public School Students. Not only is Pat very active within her community with participation in numerous groups including the YMCA Community and Youth Commission, OASIS (Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton)working with the Stoughton Police Dept. Pat supports NASN (National Assn of School Nurses) and presented in 2009 on Emergency 911 CQI. She is also active in higher education Nurse training and has been a guest presenter at Stonehill College and supports the Norfolk County DAs Office School Nursing Continuing Education as a Program Advisor. Even with a very full plate she worked to encourage Healthy living in a pilot program in coordination with University of Massachusetts School of Medicine. She created and coordinated the 'Walk Across America to Stoughton, WI" a 20 week walking challenge for staff from Stoughton, MA to Stoughton, WI. She partnered with a Nursing Coordinator in WI to create a reciprocal challenge. She worked to obtain a corporate sponsor who donated pedometers for participants in both communities (325 in MA alone). I feel Pat's greatest strength is her ability to connect the community and its resources and to act as a liaison between those resources and the school district to provide students and families with the best care possible. Pat is always a pleasure to speak and work with and she always available and responsive. Pat Small is a great choice for a 2013 Bammy Award!