After being in the district for the past six years, Patrice Gage has settled down at HHS as the school nurse. Working around the district, Gage has found her first year to be very exciting and pleasurable.
“I love working at Huron High School. I feel like I’m a great fit here. I love the staff and the students and the culture and the community is just beautiful,” Gage said.
Gage’s interest in community healthcare began with her son who has Crohn’s disease along with many food allergies. When her son started school, there was no school nurse so Gage would have to teach the schools’ office professionals how to administer an EpiPen. Her experience helped solidify her decision in becoming a school nurse.
“I was just very appreciative of the care that they gave my son, that I wanted to return to this world, or start and become a nurse in this role, so that I could give back what they gave,” Gage said.
Her contributions to the school community includes not only helping students who are feeling ill throughout the school day, but also assisting those with chronic illness.
“I’m also here for students that have chronic illnesses that need some assistance so they can have the best experience in school. And so I’m here to help make sure that they are healthy and happy and able to be in their class as much as possible. So I help them, you know, with a health plan to kind of manage their chronic condition while in school, but I’m also here. I kind of step in as their parent to help them. And then I contact their parent[s], of course, but I’m here also as support for that.”
Everyday looks different for Gage. From assisting students with medical emergencies to preparing for staff meetings, she always has something on her schedule. She is even a mentor for other nurses in the district, often calling to check in on them, and helping out when needed. Gage also works as a CPR instructor for the district, helping to certify employees all over the district. Her days can be challenging as they are full of surprises.
“You might be giving an epi pen one day or and you might be sitting down and just talking to somebody and sharing encouraging words the next,” Gage said.
At the end of the day, the students here are what keep her energized and excited to work.
“They turn and they’ll look at me, and they’ll wave and they’ll smile,” Gage said. “I think students are so [amazing] in this community, [they] are so very kind and polite, and it just really recharges me. And I share that with everybody.”
