About MSNO
Mission/Overview
Mission of the MSNO and
an Overview of Our Organization.
Board/Leadership
Board Members, Standing Committee
& Regional Chairs
Mission & Overview

Vision
- All Massachusetts school nurses will be equipped to practice and advocate so every student in our Commonwealth will be healthy, safe and ready to learn.
We value:
advocacy
collaboration
collegiality
education
inclusiveness
integrity
professionalism
Mission
- Promote and advance quality school health services throughout the Commonwealth and promote the rights, interests and professional growth of our members.
- Members are encouraged to take an active stance in decisions directly impacting school nursing, especially in the legislative, economic and educational areas.
Definition of School Nursing
- School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success.
- School nurses, grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, are the leaders who bridge health care and education, provide care coordination, advocate for quality student-centered care, and collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential.
- Adopted by the NASN Board of Directors February 2017.
Our History
- Founded in 1970, the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO) has been a strong voice for school nurses throughout the Commonwealth.
- MSNO is a growing non-profit organization with approximately 800 members, including school nurses, school administrators, public health nurses, practitioners, consultants, educators, and retired school nurses.
- MSNO is directed by an elected board of directors and a grassroots organizational structure.
- Membership across the Commonwealth is divided into ten regions.
Past Presidents
- Martha Rich (1970- 1972)
- Anna Margaret Ray (1972 – 1974)
- Nancy Wolfe (1974 – 1976)
- Gladys Newhall (1976 – 1978)
- Jayne Cash (1978 – 1980)
- Susan Kelly (1980 – 1981)
- Jackie Mawhinney (1981 – 1984)
- Nancy Miller (1984 – 1986)
- Ann Lowry (1986 – 1988)
- Anne Kinsley (1988 – 1990)
- Judi McAuliffe (1990 – 1992)
- Linda Salmonsen (1992 – 1994)
- Katherine O’Neill (1994 – 1996)
- Marcia Buckminster (1996 – 2000) plus 2/2002-2003
- Mary Zamorski (2001 – 2002)
- Katherine O’Neill (2003 – 2005)
- Marie DeSisto (2005 – 2007)
- Kathy Hassey (2007 – 2009)
- Mimi Stamer (2009 – 2011)
- Pamela Rivers (2011 – 2013)
- Judy Styer (2013 – 2015)
- Carilyn Rains (2015 – 2017)
- Katie Vozeolas (2017 – 2018) resigned took position outside school nursing
- Carilyn Rains (2018-2019)
- Jenny Gormley (2019-2020)
- Doreen Crowe (2020-2022)
- Cathryn Hampson (2022- )President Elect
Strategic Plan
2018-2020 Strategic Priorities:
- Increase Advocacy
- Improve Communication
- Strengthen Member Opportunities
- Strengthen Organization Infrastructure
By-Laws
Board & Leadership

Rebecca Boutwell, Data Coordinator Co-Chair
Rebecca Boutwell BSN RN NCSN
North Middlesex Regional School District
District Resource Nurse
Data Coordinator,Co-Chair
Jessica Gervais, Collaborative Nurse Co-Chair
Terry Grimm, Membership
Theresa Hartel, Private and Independent Schools Co-Chair
Theresa Hartel
MSN, RN
Private and Independent Schools Co-Chair
Kathy Hassey, Scholarship & Awards
Barbara Hedstrom, MSNO/DOE Liaison
Avery Hines, NBCSN Liaison
Kate Maher, Collaborative Nurse Co-Chair
Judy McAuliffe, Historian
Judy McAuliffe
RN
Historian
Estibaliz McCoy, Communications Consultant
Lisa O'Connor, Private and Independent Schools Co-Chair
Lisa O'Connor
, RN
Private and Independent Schools Co-Chair
Karen Roberto, NESNC Liasion
Jenn Roca, Vocational Liasion
Jenn Roca
Vocational Liasion
Denise Schwerzler, Webmaster
Shanyn Toulouse, Safe & Supportive Schools DESE Liaison
Open Positions
- No Open Standing Positions
PDF of Standing Committee
Regional Chairs
- The MSNO is organized by region across the Commonwealth.
- There are 10 regions, each with its own Chairperson.
PDF of List of Towns By Region with Regional Chairperson
Working Groups of the Board include:
- Advocacy
- Communication
- Membership
- Organizational Development
Board Meetings
Board Meetings will typically meet from 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Please check e-newsletter and website for updates to schedule and location.
Guests of MSNO Members are welcome!
For more information, please contact Doreen Crowe, MSNO President at president@msno.org.
Featured Board Member
Every month we highlight a Board member to help our membership get to know us better. Click below to meet this month’s featured member.
Jenny Gormley, Past President
Jenny serves MSNO as the current Past President.
Jenny has worked in the School Health specialty in Massachusetts since 2000.
She provided direct care as a per diem and elementary school nurse in two Massachusetts school districts, and as Director of Health, Nursing, and Safety at a third school district.