Kerri R. Schmidt, School District of Rhinelander school nurse, was presented with Wisconsin’s Katheryn Etter School Nurse of the Year Award at a luncheon held in Madison Thursday, April 10. The award is annually presented to a Wisconsin school nurse who has demonstrated excellence in his/her school nursing practice. Members of Ms. Schmidt’s family, as well as members of the School District of Rhinelander Athletic Training Service Team and Superintendent of Schools Kelli Jacobi were in attendance for the presentation of the award.  

Schmidt has worked as the district’s school nurse for the past 11 years, providing nursing service leadership for the school system in the areas of student health care and safety preparedness plans, as well as health and safety training and support for parents and staff members. She works to develop strong relationships between the district and local physicians, health care agencies, community resources, families, and district employees, resulting in positive changes that impact the welfare of students, staff and the community. 

 Schmidt was instrumental in raising the awareness of the need for assessing and managing the health and safety of student athletes, and helped to coordinate and establish the ImPact Computerized Neurocognitive Assessment Program, which was developed to assess and manage students who receive concussions and for the prevention of brain injuries. She also collaborated with colleagues to launch the Athletic Training Services Team, which works with students, parents, coaches and health care providers to assess, educate and enhance the welfare of the district’s athletes. Through her concerns for the dental health of district students, she established a dental sealant program with local providers for the purpose of dental screening and sealant application, provided at no cost to the families.  

Ms. Schmidt is a Wisconsin licensed registered nurse, a nationally certified school nurse, a certified instructor for the American Heart Association First Aid/CPR/AED, and is involved in both state and national nursing associations.  With her four children having attended and graduated from the School District of Rhinelander, she has been very involved in district programs outside of her nursing services responsibilities. She is the former president of the Hodag Little League program and is involved with the Rhinelander Athletic Booster Club. Her hobbies include boating, golfing, snowshoeing and long walks with the family’s two golden retrievers.