PEA RIDGE — Amy McDowell, Pea Ridge Middle School nurse, was nominated as one of four choices for Northwest Arkansas School Nurses Association’s Nurse of the Year.

Although McDowell was not selected, she was honored by the nomination.

This is the second year McDowell has worked as a school nurse, having more than 10 years experience in the nursing field. She was nominated by Nancy Marsh, the area’s community health specialist.

“(McDowell) was very proactive in planning the flu clinics at Pea Ridge, she has been very positive and eager about doing the required screenings and entering the data,” Marsh said. “She takes very good care of her students at PR Middle School. She’s always trying to find new ways to educate the staff and students about various health issues. She is very good about checking nursing rules and regulations concerning her work as school nurse.”

McDowell, along with Darlene Cheatham of Lincoln, Connie Duncan of Bentonville and Tina Huddleston of Springdale, were honored at a banquet Tuesday night, April 20. Huddleston took the honor of being named Nurse of the Year.

“We meet collectively at monthly meetings, we’re all connected to one another,” said Val Colburn, Pea Ridge Intermediate School nurse.

“She’s extremely organized and innovative, always making sure regulations are followed. She’s been really instrumental in helping us incorporate new things at Pea Ridge.”

School, Pages 10 on 04/28/2010