June 24, 2024

The Clarke County School District is pleased to announce that one of its veteran school nurses, Meredith Dykes, RN, has been named the state’s School Nurse of the Year by the Georgia Association of School Nurses (GASN). 

Nurse Dykes, who was nominated by two of her CCSD nursing colleagues, was presented with the award earlier this month at the GASN annual conference on Jekyll Island. She was among several nominees from across the state and was selected by an outside panel of judges from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Kennesaw State University, and the Georgia Nurses Association. 

Nurse Dykes, who is part of a team of more than 30 nurses and clinic assistants serving the school district, has been a nurse for over 20 years and a CCSD school nurse for the last 8.5 years. In addition to her nursing degree, she also holds a master’s degree in public health. Nurse Dykes serves CCSD’s H.T. Edwards campus, which includes Classic City High School, the Early Learning Center West location, and the Athens Community Career Academy. She can often be seen zipping around the campus between buildings on her scooter as she works tirelessly to support the health and wellness of CCSD students.

Nurse Dykes excels at connecting students and families with community resources and initiating programs in CCSD schools to help promote student success. This past school year, she spearheaded an effort to bring free vision clinics to students through a district partnership with Prevent Blindness Georgia. This collaboration, which began in the spring and which CCSD plans to continue into next school year, has already allowed many students to have access to high-quality vision care and optometrist exams that may not have otherwise been possible for them due to barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, or transportation availability. Every student who is recommended for eyeglasses at the clinics is fitted for them and receives two free pairs.

“Nurse Dykes is a true asset to our School Nursing Team,” said Amy Roark, BSN, RN, NCSN, CCSD’s Director of School Nursing. “She is well deserving of this statewide honor and recognition.”