Wednesday started off like many others for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Nurse Practitioner Teresa White as she administered student physicals at an elementary school.
But the day took a turn when one of the children White examined told her they were struggling with thoughts of self-harm and hadn’t yet talked to their parents about how they were feeling.
White wasted no time connecting the student’s family to resources they could access immediately to support their struggling child.
“There are things going on with kids health-wise that occur at school that sometimes parents don’t see,” White said. “It’s up to the nurse to recognize those things and report them back to parents. Now, that child is getting the resources they need. If I wasn’t there doing physicals, I don’t know if we would have caught that.”
JCPS Health Services staff work on the front lines of student health to manage not just the tummy aches and fevers that pop up throughout the day, but also chronic conditions, emergencies, and preventive care like on-site physicals, vision and dental screenings, and vaccination clinics.
For many students, a JCPS healthcare professional might be the only healthcare professional they see that year, said District Health Manager Dr. Eva Stone.
“We work to identify and address health disparities, ensuring that all students—regardless of background—receive the care they need to thrive,” Stone said.
Shelby Academy School Nurse Ronald Keene has dealt with everything from broken bones and seizures to helping students manage their diabetes, asthma, and other chronic conditions. He reaches out to parents whose students are due for required physicals, vaccinations, or screenings.
Keene has helped treat students with ADHD, helped parents work through the process of getting glasses for their students who failed a vision screening, and administered over-the-counter medications like pain relievers or antacids that help a student stay in school for the day and avoid missing class time.
“We help keep students healthy, in school, and feeling well enough to where they can actually participate in the classroom,” he said. “I enjoy the smiles and hugs at the end of the day and just knowing that I gave them the care that they needed.”
Every JCPS school has a school-based nurse like Keene who provides daily care, helps manage chronic conditions, administers routine medications, and addresses acute health needs.
The district also employs 12 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who rotate among schools and bring a higher level of clinical expertise, offering services like physicals, immunizations, and treatment for acute illnesses, Stone said.
“Their availability during school hours is particularly valuable for students who might not otherwise have access to healthcare due to family work schedules or lack of resources,” Stone said.
School nurses and APRNs help coordinate the Norton eCare School Telehealth program at all JCPS elementary schools. The program allows students with parental consent to participate in a telehealth visit with a Norton Healthcare provider through a secure video visit from the school nurse’s office. Remote medical technology operated by the school nurse allows the Norton Healthcare provider to examine students, including looking in their throats and ears and listening to their hearts and lungs.
In addition, JCPS also houses multiple school-based clinics in partnership with community providers.
Family Health Centers operates a clinic at Iroquois High School, with plans to open a clinic at Marion C. Moore School next year.
Park DuValle Community Health Center operates itinerant clinics at Pleasure Ridge Park High School and Central High School.
Shawnee Christian Care operates a clinic at the Academy @ Shawnee and an itinerant clinic at McFerran Elementary School.
School nurses play a key role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment, which contributes to better student attendance and academic performance, Stone said.
“We’re another layer of protection for students,” White said. “We do a lot of work trying to address barriers to learning and academic success. Sometimes even the smallest supports can make such a big difference in a student’s life.”
More JCPS Health Service Facts:
JCPS school nurses have conducted 256,000 nurse office visits, nearly 35,000 hearing screenings, more than 46,000 vision screenings, and more than 1,900 dental screenings since July 1.
JCPS has a dedicated surveillance team, including an epidemiologist, who monitors for communicable illnesses and helps respond quickly to outbreaks.
The JCPS Health Services team works closely with Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness (LMPHW) to ensure effective and timely responses to public health concerns.
Health Services coordinates employee flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics at all schools that respond to an invitation to schedule a clinic, as well as at other JCPS work locations such as bus compounds, garages, and central office locations.
APRNs provide physicals for new employees at no charge, Monday through Thursday, at C.B. Young. JCPS APRNs have completed 1,033 free physicals for new employees since July 1, 2024, and 4,211 student physical exams, including sports physicals, to ensure students can participate in athletics.
JCPS school nurses have conducted more than 2,000 visits with employees so far this year. The most common reasons include COVID/flu symptoms, COVID testing, general illness symptoms, and blood pressure checks.
“We also prioritize the health and well-being of JCPS employees because they matter,” Stone said. “By providing accessible healthcare services—vaccinations, physicals, and illness management—we support their wellness, reduce absenteeism, and foster a healthier school community, which in turn contributes to student success.”