CLIPPER CORNER: SPOTLIGHT ON AN UNSUNG HERO
The Unsung Hero spotlight is designated by Superintendent of Schools Lori S. Duerr to shine a well-deserved light on individuals in the Falmouth Public Schools and their invaluable contributions to the district.
Leading the Way in a Pandemic: FPS Nurse Coordinator Sharon O’Connor
By Sarah E. Murphy
For as long as she can remember, nursing has been a calling for Sharon O’Connor.
“I’ve known my entire life that I wanted to be a nurse. My grandmother was a nurse, and she was a profound role model for me,” Ms. O’Connor recalled.
But little did she know then that by following her passion, she would one day play an instrumental role during a global pandemic.
Now in her fifth year as a Falmouth High School nurse, Ms. O’Connor, who began working for the district in 2003, was recently appointed the nurse coordinator for 2022-2023. A majority of her time at FHS has been impacted by Covid.
“It was very unknown territory for everybody,” she said. “Not only did the nurses go into the experience for the first time, but so did everyone else.”
According to Ms. O’Connor, the first priority for herself and her nursing colleagues was to educate themselves on the directives of the Massachusetts Department of Early & Secondary Education (DESE) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
“The guidelines were constantly changing. They were so fluid, so that was something we had to keep at the forefront, because not only did we have to know what we were doing in the nurse’s office, but we also had to educate the staff, the families, and the students,” she said.
“My hat is off to everyone in the district. They have risen to a very high bar in regard to how well they did dealing with the pandemic over the past two years.”
Ms. O’Connor credited School Physician Dr. Greg Parkinson and Director of Student Services Joan Woodward for their leadership, in addition to Falmouth Public Schools for its support of the nursing staff.
“There were so many moving parts, so the administration initiated a Covid Team for the entire district, which included a health assistant in each nurse’s office, and Covid-19 test and stay help. That was a huge help to the nursing department,” she said.
Although Ms. O’Connor is humbled to be honored, she underscored the contributions of her colleagues.
“Everything we do in the nursing department is a collaborative effort. No one could have done this alone,” she said. “A great deal of teamwork goes on between the nurses throughout the schools; we brainstorm and bounce things off each other. Many of us are autonomous, so it’s really important that we can make that phone call or send that email when we need to.”
The respect is shared, inspiring one of her colleagues to nominate her in 2021 as a Massachusetts Healthcare Hero, an honor for which she was chosen by State Senator Susan L. Moran.
Ms. O’Connor also underscored the relationship between the nursing departments and guidance departments throughout the district, to address both physical and mental health, which are often connected.
“The collaboration that the nurses have with the school adjustment counselors and the guidance counselors is really amazing,” she said.
Although Covid presented various challenges, Ms. O’Connor witnessed many positive outcomes.
“What struck me the most was the compassion the students exhibited toward each other. They handled the situation with such grace,” she said. “They are true Clippers, for sure.”
Ms. O’Connor’s passion for school nursing can be summed up by an anonymous quote, which she provided to all the nurses throughout the district to display in their office:
“Students must be healthy to be educated and educated to be healthy.”
Joan Woodward, Director of Student Services for Falmouth Public Schools, said Ms. O’Conor is an asset to Falmouth Public Schools in many ways.
“As the nurse coordinator, Sharon leads with purpose and compassion. Armed with her calm, professional demeanor and extensive knowledge of school nursing, she is able to address any and all tasks that come her way,” she stated.
“She provides our students, staff, and families a welcoming and safe environment so that all students are able to thrive.”
Superintendent of Schools Lori S. Duerr echoed Ms. Woodward’s sentiments.
“Sharon was a calming force for the district during a time of extreme uncertainty for all. We are better for having gone through it together, with her at the helm, guiding us with poise and empathy,” Dr. Duerr said.
“I am so grateful to her, and to all of our nurses, for their passion, commitment, and most of all, their kindness.”