With a population bigger than a lot of towns, it’s vital for DHS to have medical professionals at the ready.

This year, the school is welcoming registered nurse Carey Shew to the nursing staff while celebrating Cathleen Blair’s move from part- to full-time.

They, along with the rest of the nursing staff, are in charge of caring for 3,200 students and about 200 faculty and staff members.

Blair is already familiar with DHS, moving from part-time status for the past two years to full-time to fill the slot left by Joan Mandzuk, who retired.

She earned her master’s degree from Hunter College in New York City. After graduating, she worked at New York University, Yonkers General Hospital,  and Danbury Hospital before joining the DHS staff.

The main reason she wanted to be a nurse was her love of helping people. She is licensed in Connecticut and New York.

“I enjoy students and helping them out,” she says. In her 27 years of nursing she had amazing experiences such as working in a transplant unit on a surgical floor and working as a head nurse.

Shew, who has taken the part-time position, has been a nurse for seven years. She has done surgical and outpatient medical work in a doctor’s office and at a hospital.  She earned her degree from Polk State College in Winter Haven, Florida.

She states that she came to DHS because it fits her family schedule more as she has a daughter. Shew said she already feel welcomed. “One of my favorite things so far is getting to meet new people,” she says.

Head nurse Kathleen O’Dowd agreed. “Mrs. Shew is a welcome addition to the nursing staff. She has hit the ground running in our busy office and is adapting very well in her new role.”

The two work alongside Megan Kilcourse, an RN and BSN, as well as O’Dowd, who rotates between several other Danbury Public Schools.

The nurses have many responsibilities in the school. Besides seeing about 100 students a day, the nurses are also responsible for maintaining student health records, reviewing all physicals and immunizations, obtaining doctor’s orders for medications and treatments that are provided in school.

They are also in charge of preparing health care plans, preparing for and participating in PPT and 504 plan meetings, communicating with parents, health care providers and community resources, health counseling and education for students and staff trainings, and they are in charge of responding to emergencies with students or staff.

While that may seem like a lot for three nurses, O’Dowd assures it is not. “Our district faces financial challenges that not only impact the health services department, but every department throughout the district. Having 2.5 nurses for more than 3,000 students is not optimal, however, my staff deals with those challenges in the most professional way. They go above and beyond everyday to provide health services to our students.”

It is required for visitors to have a pass before going to the nurse’s office. Once you enter you are expected to sign in and sit in the waiting room before one of the nurses calls you in. Once you are called the nurses will do what they can to treat your illness.

“I am very proud of the nursing staff here at DHS. They are dedicated to our students and committed to helping ensure that students are at at their optimum level of health so they can be in school, in class and ready to learn,” O’Dowd said.