Jeannie Edwards, the lead nurse and the Dawson Youth Health Services Coordinator, was recognized with the Georgia Association of School Nurses (GASN) Administrator of the Year award last week.

"Nurse Edwards, began the Dawson County school nurse program in 1990 when awarded a $250,000 Family Connection Program grant providing Medicaid health-check physicals to underserved children at Robinson Elementary School," according to a nomination letter.

Edwards accepted the award from Lisa Perry at the Dawson Board of Education meeting on Aug.10. Perry is the assistant superintendent of personnel and support services.

She was nominated by Mamie Coker, the Health Services Coordinator for Hall County Schools.

"I was nominated by my colleagues and that just means the world to me because nurses know what other nurses do," Edwards said. "I always tell the other nurses in Georgia that I could not have done it without all of the support of my board and my staff. Dawson County has the most energetic and wonderful staff that I've ever seen. You really do care about your students.

Edwards has been serving as nurse coordinator for Dawson County schools for over 20 years and has been instrumental in building the schools nursing program.

"During her 23 years as coordinator of the school health program, Mrs. Edwards is constantly adapting and updating the program based on the community needs and resources available to her," according to the letter.