I want to nominate Nurse Erin Lehmkuhl for the DAISY Award. I have had the pleasure of serving as her designee since she joined Palm Beach Gardens Elementary a few years ago. The award asks us to thank nurses for something they’ve done, but I can’t limit the impact Erin has made to just one person or one thing.

She takes care of all the students, even those who may have never set foot in the clinic. You can see her in the halls waving at students, sometimes outside throwing a football to the bigger kids, and welcoming late arrivals not with “You’re late” but with “We are glad you are here.” She treats cuts, scrapes, broken bones, colds, and other illnesses. She cares for multiple students with diabetes and other conditions and serves as a safe place for so many more, students and parents alike.

What makes Erin an extraordinary nurse, beyond her clinical skill, is her ability to bring uplifting energy to every encounter with students. She has an uncanny ability to build confidence and empower students to be their best selves, not just physically but emotionally. She explains the “whys and hows” of care in ways they can understand. I am always learning something new when I see her in action.

I’ve seen students she’s cared for “being Nurse Erin” in the cafeteria when a friend bumps an arm or scrapes a knee. She runs a very busy clinic, and even on the hardest of days, juggling a thousand things, she manages to smile, crack a joke, and stay focused while ensuring every child is cared for and all her responsibilities are met.

Parents frequently call or stop by the front office to share kind words about her. I believe it is time she is recognized for consistently going above and beyond, making a difference every single day.