Schwarz recognized as top school nurse in Wisconsin

Medford School Nurse Mindy Schwarz has been named the 2025 recipient of the Kathryn Etter School Nurse of the Year Award by the Wisconsin Association of School Nurses (WASN).

On May 22, WASN president Jamie Trzebiatowski came to Medford to present Schwarz with the recognition. Trzebiatowski is a school nurse for the School District of Waupaca.

“Today, we are here to recognize someone who exemplifies that spirit— not just through her clinical expertise, but through tireless dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of school health to transform lives,” Trzebiatowski said praising Schwarz.

Trzebiatowski noted that Schwarz goes beyond the basics of being a school nurse.

“She is a driving force behind a healthier, safer, and more supported student body,” she said.

Schwarz attends and contributes to Community Health Improvement Project meetings, serves on the Taylor County Drug Opposition Partners Board, and is a leader in the Human Growth and Development Advisory Council.

See MEDFORD on page 4 “She’s there at the table—helping shape decisions that impact every student’s wellbeing. She’s an educator in every sense of the word. Whether presenting 'Vaping 101' to middle and high school students, speaking on countywide panels, or training coaches and staff in CPR—she’s always teaching, always advocating for informed, empowered health choices,” wrote Medford Student Services Director Joseph Greget in his nomination of Schwarz.

He continued, “She holds degrees, certifications, and a resume filled with professional development. But it’s not the credentials alone—it’s how she uses them. She mentors fellow nurses, supports special education teams, and serves as the Lead Contact for School Nursing Services in her district. And she does all this while also caring for individual students— managing complex medical needs, comforting the anxious, and showing every student that they matter.”

The nomination noted Schwarz is organized, passionate, community-focused, and above all—compassionate.

Trzebiatowski noted that Schwarz has played a pivotal role in expanding school nursing in Medford Area Public School District. When she started, there was one full-time nurse.

Now, because of her leadership and vision, there is a nurse at every school level— elementary, middle, and high school.

“She brings health education to every corner of the community— from Special Needs Dances, to the Reality Fair, from Mental Health Nights to National Night Out events. Her reach is deep, and it is wide. She is, simply put, a role model. For students, staff, fellow nurses—and schools across the state,” Trzebiatowski said.

According to the National Association of School Nurses, school nursing is a specialized practice of nursing which protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential.

The role of school nurses continues to expand as are the demands on them. According to the 2024 end of year report, there were 3,853 visits by Medford Area Senior High School students to the school nurse’s office, part of 20,789 district-wide. District-wide the school nurses dispensed 8,921 doses of oral medication, 89 ear/ eye/nasal medications, worked with nine students with diabetic pumps, did 2,313 sub Q injections, gave an Epi Pen injection for a life threatening allergic reaction and administered inhalers to 365 students.

Of the more than 2,000 students enrolled in the district’s buildings, in 2024 there were 777 (38%) who had one or more health conditions.