VA HR75

Heather Shea Pugh of Windsor High School in Isle of Wight County was named 2025 School Nurse of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Nurses for her leadership in mental health support and cardiac emergency preparedness

Created the Mental Health Toolkit for School Nurses in 2022, providing guides for addressing anxiety, depression, suicidality, coping strategies, and crisis situations in collaboration with the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and REACH crisis services

Presented the Mental Health Toolkit at conferences in Roanoke, Charlottesville, and at the National Association of School Nurses Annual Conference in Austin, Texas

Established a cardiac response team at Windsor High School, leading to the school receiving Heart Safe School designation from Project ADAM

Achieved national certification as a school nurse in 2023, demonstrating expertise in school health services and youth advocacy