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 – 2001)
- Mary Zamorski (2001 – 2003)
- 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)
- Carilyn Rains (2018)
- Jenny Gormley (2018-2020)
Strategic Plan
2018-2020 Strategic Priorities:
- Increase Advocacy
- Improve Communication
- Strengthen Member Opportunities
- Strengthen Organization Infrastructure
By-Laws
Board & Leadership

Doreen Crowe, President
Cathryn Hampson, President-Elect
Jenny Gormley, Past President
June Kazes, Vice President/Programs Chairperson
Lee Waingortin, Treasurer
Jamy Gaynor, Secretary
Carilyn Rains, NASN Director
Betty Foster, Data Coordinator
Terry Grimm, Membership
Kathy Hassey, Scholarship & Awards
Barbara Hedstrom, MSNO/DOE Liaison
Patricia Hoban, NBCSN Liaison
Dorothy Keeney, Historian
Adria Pavletic, Private Schools
Denise Schwerzler, Webmaster
Chris Sheils, Conference Vendor Chair
Open Positions
- Newsletter Editor
- Educational Collaborative Schools
- Vocational Technical Schools
- The MSNO is organized by region across the Commonwealth.
- There are 10 regions, each with its own Chairperson.
Working Groups of the Board include:
- Advocacy
- Communication
- Membership
- Organizational Development