DPI’s Caldart-Olson receives achievement award

Linda Caldart-Olson, Department of Public Instruction school nurse consultant, was presented with the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants (NASSNC) 2006 Outstanding Achievement Award at the group’s national conference in New York City recently. Caldart-Olson has provided leadership, education, technical assistance, and consultation regarding school health services to Wisconsin’s 428 school districts since 1999. She has served NASSNC as a director, president, and past president, and has been involved with a wide variety of other professional and community organizations in leadership positions.

Linda began her career caring for children recuperating from heart surgery. She moved to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, initially as the nurse educator and later as manager of the pediatric cardiovascular center. She was drawn to school nursing while doing a health study at a large urban school district, and left the hospital setting to become a school nurse. She holds a Master of Science degree with a clinical specialty in occupational health nursing.

Nomination letters describing Caldart-Olson’s contributions as a nurse leader and an advocate for children noted her work as a catalyst for change, a role model for nursing practice and leadership, and an innovator in partnership and program development. She has influenced others through her leadership, compassion, commitment, and determination to overcome barriers to the delivery of quality health care for children and adolescents.

Last updated on 7/24/2006