Anne-Marie Kachanis, nurse/teacher at Scituate High School/Scituate Middle School in North Scituate, feels that by combining health education and health care she can "offer more to her patients." Because of the broad spectrum covered by her joint fields of expertise, Mrs. Kachanis is called upon to fill many roles. "I am committed not only to the education of students," she says, "but to the students themselves." Mrs. Kachanis is primarily concerned with the physical and emotional well-being of students and how health problems may affect learning ability. She is equally concerned with making accurate and up-to-date information available to her students, thereby creating every opportunity for them to construct and pursue healthy and constructive lives. Immense health and social issues are redefining the responsibilities of today's school nurse. "Instruction in health education classes is equal to or more important than other academic subjects," says Mrs. Kachanis. "Lessons in good health last a lifetime." Mrs. Kachanis thinks that the "promotion of the nurse-teacher as an equal professional in the school setting is vital."
1976 University of Rhode Island, B.S.
