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Lori Haapala, BSN, RN, NCSN
Vice President Candidate
Current NASN Affiliate: West Virginia Association of School Nurses (WVASN)
Major Clinical, Teaching, or Practice Area: School Nurse - Elementary and Secondary
Education: West Virginia University, Nursing, BSN, 2013; Rancho Santiago College, Nursing, ADN, 1994
Awards, Achievements, and Honors: NA
Number of Years in School Nursing: 11 years
Employment: Kanawha County Board of Education, Itinerant School Nurse, 2014 - Present:Provide school health services to meet the health needs of approximately 1100 students in Pre-K through 8th grade in the public-school setting. Implement a total health program at the local school level and collaborative with principals, teachers, school-based health centers in providing health education for students and in-service programs for personnel.
Other Significant Positions Held: On-Line Class Facilitator/Class Developer for WV Learns,West Virginia Department of Education, 2017 - 2022; School-Based Health Center Coordinator, Marshall University School of Medicine, 2016 - 2018; Utilization Review Nurse/Case Management, Acordia Insurance, 2006 - 2008
Present NASN Offices/Appointments: NASN/CDC Epilepsy Navigator Grant Program, 2021 - Present; NASN Investment Advisory Committee, 2020 - Present
Past NASN Offices/Appointments: NASN Strategic Research Committee Chair, 2021 -2023; NASN Endowment Allocation Advisory Committee, 2021 - 2023; NASN Endowment Fund Research Grants Committee, 2021 - 2023; NASN Endowment Fundraising Committee, 2021 - 2023; NASN Executive Committee, 2020 - 2023; NASN Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, 2020 - 2022; NASN Education and School Nurse Practice Committee, 2019 -2021
Present NASN Affiliate Offices/Appointments: WVASN Executive Director to NASN, 2019- Present; WVASN CE Committee, 2021 - Present
Past NASN Affiliate Offices/Appointments: WVASN Treasurer, 2017 - 2019
Present Offices/Appointments in Other Associations: American Academy of Pediatrics -First Aid and Safety Programs for Lay Audiences Steering Committee for Development of Curricula, 2022 - Present; Children’s Neurology Foundation Content Review Committee, 2022- Present
Past Offices/Appointments in Other Associations: West Virginia Department of EducationCOVID-19 Re-Entry Task Force, 2020 - 2021; West Virginia Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - Board of Directors, 2003 - 2018
Publications Significant to School Nursing: NA
- National Association of School Nurses, (2022). School-Located Vaccination, (Position Statement). Silver Springs, MD: Amidon, C., Haapala, L., Whitney, S.
- National Association of School Nurses, (2019). Student Health Care Access: A Right and Not a Privilege. (Position Brief). Silver Springs, ND. Bailey, S., Crowe, D., Compton, L., Elliott, K., Haapala, L. and Lechtenberg, J.
- National Association of School Nurses, (2020). Concussion – School Based Management(Position Statement). Silver Springs, MD: Griffin, C., Haapala, L., Landry, J., and Neumann, L.
- West Virginia Association of School Nurses – COVID 19: School Re-Entry and Recommendations and Guidelines. Charleston, WV: Ashley, A., Haapala, L., Knapp, S.,Lilly, J., McCoy, P., Ward, C., Warden, A.
Participation in Publication Review: NA
Presentations Significant to School Nursing:
- School Nurse Certification. (2019). Presented at Kid Strong Annual Conference in Charleston, WV: Haapala, L., Ward, C.
- Diabetes and School. (2016). Presented at Kid Strong Annual Conference in Charleston,WV: Haapala, L.
- 504 Plans for Your T1D Student. (2016). Presented at WV Branch of JDRF Weekend Spring Symposium in Flatwoods, WV: Haapala, L.
Research Significant to School Nursing: NA
Participation in Data Collection: Collected data from the state of West Virginia for Every Student Counts!
Statement of View: I am honored to be considered for the position of Vice President of the National Association of School Nurses. As a school nurse, my top priority is to promote the health and well-being of all students. I work as a school nurse in a rural community, and I am passionate about addressing health disparities in our student populations. Unfortunately,many students are at a higher risk of experiencing untreated health conditions due to the disparities they face. These groups include students from low-income families, minority groups, LGBTQ students, and our students in foster care. With your support, I will work to identify and address these disparities, and ensure that all students have access to the care they need to be healthy.
One of the consequences of health disparities and another important issue for school nurses continues to be the mental health of our students. We have all witnessed the anxiety and depression our students are facing.After the COVID-19 pandemic, these issues are at an all-time high. We must find ways to provide the resources and support to help our students manage these issues.
Having the honor to serve on the NASN Board of Directors and the Executive Committee has allowed me to grow into the strong leader and advocate, I am today. After working as part of NASN’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force I have been able to continue to learn.With these experiences combined with NASN’s Strategic Plan and Framework, I promise you I am committed to promoting health equity and addressing health disparities our students face. I ask for your support and your vote, and I look forward to working with you to create a stronger and more diverse NASN.
This Vice President candidate completed the Nominating Committee process.