DISTRICT 205 SCHOOL NURSES ARE

District 205 and Elmhurst Hospital extend one-of-a-kind partnership to continue providing high-quality medical services to all District 205 students

By: Tonya Daniels

School nurses allow all students to be healthy, safe, and ready to learn and having high quality school nurses allows a school to function at a higher level. They provide empathy, compassion and often develop strong relationships with students and families. School nurses collaborate with administrators, teachers, parents, families, and are often a direct line for families and health care professionals. Whether it is a sore throat, a headache, or even mental health issues, the school nurse is also often the trusted adult that students rely on and feel the most comfortable with at school. With this in mind, when Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 and Elmhurst Hospital met to discuss the continuation of their 10-year partnership to provide nurses in the schools, it was a resounding yes from both organizations. This contract is unique to District 205 with no other school district in the area reporting an agreement similar to this.

“We are thrilled to continue this important partnership with Elmhurst Hospital and to know that our students and staff will continue to be provided an added layer of health and safety not found in other school districts in the area,” said Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Superintendent Dr. Keisha Campbell. “For more than 10 years, the District has partnered with the hospital for nursing services and over that time our nurses have become a part of our school communities and we are elated to continue this extraordinary community partnership.”

The health and safety of their staff and students is one of the top priorities of District 205 and the last few years have further emphasized how important the role of the school nurse is to a school. This agreement provides an outstanding benefit to the community by having those roles filled by nurses directly from their local hospital.

“Elmhurst Hospital is excited to continue our partnership with Elmhurst School District 205 and appreciates the opportunity to provide ongoing support for our nurses in the community,” said Dr. Kimberley Darey, President, Elmhurst Hospital

All of the school nurses will work for the Elmhurst Hospital - a top rated health care provider in the Chicagoland area. As employees of the hospital, they will also receive the same professional learning opportunities provided by Elmhurst Hospital - Delivering the highest quality care for all Elmhurst School District 205 schools.