LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Haley Houtchens was nominated by her colleague, Brandy Dunaway.

"I'm not sure what Stuart Middle School would be like without Nurse Haley, but I can confidently say that there would be a huge hole in its heart," said Dunaway. "Haley is the very definition of Stuart's core values of Respect, Integrity, School Spirit and Empathy. She has this incredibly unique ability to connect and empathize with each and every person she comes in contact with. I cannot begin to count the number of times that people have walked away from interactions with Haley and said something like, 'she is simply the best!'"

It's difficult to articulate into words exactly what Ms. Houtchens does to create this feeling in others. At the core of it, however, is her ability to really see and hear people. This ability is exemplified in her interactions with Stuart Middle School's staff, parents, and students. By definition, the role of the school nurse is to provide the safest, evidence-based health care services within the school setting. What's missing in that definition is what has to happen behind the scenes to create this safe environment. Ms. Houtchens never seems to forget that she is dealing with real people and real emotions. She never takes the one-size fits all approach when working with others. When it comes to a student's health and safety, the stakes are high.

Staff can feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility to know exactly how to respond to any type of medical emergency, despite minimal training or real life experience. When training staff, Ms. Houtchens is what can best be described as real. She is honest and transparent. She empowers staff so they can feel confident about handling any situation that comes their way. Ms. Houtchens makes it ok to ask questions and be scared, and she provides the tools to move past that. She inspires others to believe they can do things they didn't think they were capable of before.

"Parents often experience fear and anticipation as they have to hand over the care of their children to people they barely know. I think Haley may spend a majority of her time getting to know and communicating with our Stuart parents," said Dunaway. "She takes the time to hear their histories and stories. The time she invests, along with her authentic engagement with each individual family, creates a relationship of trust between the parent and Haley and, in turn, a trust in the school. I have had the pleasure of watching Haley interact with many of our parents, and honestly, it is magic to watch. Parents enter the interaction, and you can see the tension and fear in their bodies. As the conversation evolves, you can literally see that tension melt away. Parents know that Haley will work tirelessly to create an environment where their child is safe and can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically."

Students worry about judgement and being singled out from their peers. This worry is often heightened for students with unique medical needs. To address this, Ms. Houtchens has empowered students to take the lead in their medical needs while at school. She provides them a space where they have a voice. She encourages them to articulate what is working and what is not working, and she supports them as they work to develop a plan that meets their unique needs. While she is addressing their medical needs, she is also teaching them life skills that will foster success in many other areas of their lives.

"Haley is a significant part of what makes Stuart Middle School great. She is a leader who strives to foster leadership in others. She is a true partner who believes that there is no obstacle we can't overcome when we work together," said Dunaway. "Haley is a LifeChanger for everyone she comes in contact with, and she never fails to turn what many see as a barrier into an opportunity."