Aileen Kernohan of Dexter Community Schools has been named School Nurse of the Year by the Michigan Association of School Nurses (MASN).

Kernohan, who has served the district since 1994, said she is privileged to be recognized by her peers and colleagues.

"It is such a joy to work in Dexter," she said.

Kernohan received her nursing degree from the University of Michigan and previously held positions as the director of Hands on Center Physical Therapy in Plymouth and as a school nurse for Ypsilanti Public Schools.

As Dexter's district nurse, Kernohan is on call five days a week, attending to all of the district's five buildings.

"I'm on call for sprains, strains, severe diabetic lows, asthma problems and various health ailments that come up on a daily basis," she said. "There is never a dull day."

Kernohan has been responsible for drafting districtwide health policies as well as policies tailored to individual students with extreme health issues. She also implemented a computerized monitoring system to monitor absences during the H1N1 outbreak, trained secretaries to administer medicine to students and secured funds for AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in each building.

Jami Bronson, principal at Mill Creek Middle School, said working with Kernohan has been a blessing.

"Aileen does more in one day than most people do in a week," Bronson said in a letter to the MASN. "Aileen zips around every day from school to school dealing with broken bones, seizures, students facing terminal illness ... and all with the most cheerful outlook on life.

"Throughout my experiences, I have found Aileen to be professional, hardworking and dedicated to improving the health and wellness of students, parents and staff," he wrote.

In addition to her daily responsibilities, Kernohan instituted several emergency programs districtwide, which includes training a group of first responders in each district building with CPR and first aid procedures.

"Twice a year, I hold emergency drills in each building to make sure that staff knows what to do in a given situation," she said. "They don't know I'm coming, so it trains everyone to think on their feet. I put a victim on the floor and they have to diagnosis the problem. It's good to be prepared."

Kernohan said she is thankful for the opportunity to work in Dexter.

"I enjoy being part of such a suportive community," she said. "The school district has a tremendous staff, and everyone has the best interest of the children at heart. We have some great kids, too. They are always so well-mannered and sweet."

Kernohan will be recognized at MASN's annual conference May 4 at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville on May 4. In addition, her information will be submitted to the National Association of School Nurses for recognition.