Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 25, 2006
NOVA Regional Council Honors Arlington Nurse
Donna Caruso is honored for her significant contributions to human services
| County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman congratulates Donna Caruso, Regional Public Health Nurse of the Year |
ARLINGTON, VA- Arlington’s Department of Human Services (DHS) today honored Donna Caruso, Public Health Nurse of the Year, for her many contributions to the human services field at a reception at the Arlington County Central Library.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, the Northern Virginia Regional Council recognizes the best and brightest practicing public health nurses in Virginia. The Council, which includes Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudon and Prince William counties, gives two annual awards: Regional Public Health Nurse of the Year and Virginia Department of Health Nursing Council Public Health Nurse of the Year.
This year, the council selected Caruso Public Health Nurse of the Year. She also was runner-up in the statewide competition.
“We’re extremely proud of Donna’s accomplishments and the work she does everyday for DHS and the community,” said Arlington County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman.
Department of Human Services officials praised Caruso’s leadership and innovative approach as manager of the public health nurses assigned to serve 18,500 students in Arlington’s 33 public schools.
Acting DHS Director Susanne Eisner said Caruso, during her 14 years with the department “has continually demonstrated exceptional leadership not only in public health, but in areas such as emergency management planning and Limited English Proficiency.”
Tom Maddox, DHS’s Public Health Division Chief, said Caruso has “created a school, public health and community partnership that’s the envy of other school districts!”
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
Caruso advances public health education in the community by educating parents and professionals about health practices. She has trained nurses statewide on issues such as communicable disease control and negotiation skills.
Caruso volunteered to be a member of the seven-person Arlington OEM response group that traveled to Florida in 2004 after Hurricane Charley devastated the area. Her public health knowledge and her leadership skills were invaluable to the team providing shelter, food, and water, sanitation, and health services to the needy community. She nurtured a public health team in the affected county.
HER EDUCATION:
Donna earned her BS in Nursing and her Masters in Nursing Administration from George Mason University School of Nursing.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.