Cathie Storey, Coordinator of Health Services for the School
District of Greenville County, has been named South Carolina Nurse
Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental
Control and the South Carolina Department of Education.
Mrs. Storey, who has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from
Clemson University, coordinates health services for more than 90 schools and
supervises 150 school nurses who provide services to Greenville County Schools’
76,000 students. Under her leadership,
the district has reached the national average of one nurse for every 750
students. She played an integral role in securing a much-needed pay increase
for nurses, and two years ago she hired four floating nurses to help cover
schools when nurses are absent.
“Our nurses work in an environment that’s like an emergency
room with no doctor,” she said. “That is why we look for someone who can react
quickly and calmly in a serious situation.”
One of her greatest contributions to school nurses is the
implementation of Health Office, a computer program that allows nurses to
manage information and to document student illnesses safely, confidently, and
quickly.
Cathie Storey has also made it possible for nurses to
receive required continuing education units, or CEUs, at little or no cost so
they are better prepared to meet the increasing health needs of students. She
coordinates educational offerings specific to school nursing and oversees the
orientation of all new school nurses.
“Continuing education is very important for a school nurse,” said
Storey. “They need courses to keep their license and to learn about new trends.
That’s why I pay for them to attend courses through the Upstate Area Health
Education Center (AHEC).”
Congratulations to Ms. Storey!