A student arrived at the health room with seemingly common symptoms: nausea and a headache. However, through specialized clinical knowledge, the school nurse recognized that the student’s condition was escalating far beyond a typical illness.

When the student began experiencing vision loss and neck pain, Dyan remained a steady, grounding force for a child who was understandably terrified.  The Nurse performed neurological assessments and stayed by the student’s side every second. Her ability to remain "the calm in the crisis" allowed the student to stay alert and communicative during a scary event.

What truly sets this nurse apart is how she also cared for the family. She communicated with the mother with total transparency and urgency, providing a clear medical plan: immediate transport and the readiness to call EMS if the situation shifted by even a second. This clarity provided the parents with the direction they needed to act instantly.

Dyan has remained a constant source of support for the family as they navigate a frightening diagnosis. By maintaining an open line for updates and repeatedly offering herself as a resource for their questions and needs, she has shown that her care for a student doesn't end when they leave the school building.

We often talk about "saving lives" in the abstract, but in this instance, it was literal. Because of her quick assessment and the urgency she impressed upon the parents, this student received the emergency intervention required for a brain bleed. We are grateful for her expertise, her heart, and her unwavering presence at Rainier Middle School.