Katherine Jimenez was named the recipient of the 2026 Orange County School Nurse Award by the Orange County School Nurses Organization (OCSNO), a distinguished honor presented annually on National School Nurse Day. Selected from nominations submitted by her peers across the county, this award recognizes one exceptional school nurse whose leadership, innovation and dedication have made a meaningful impact on student health and wellness.
Jimenez has been with IUSD since 2022 and quickly established herself as an innovative leader. A standout example of her leadership came during the district’s transition to conducting state-mandated vision and hearing screenings in-house. Jimenez stepped into a critical role as a “Super User” of the newly adopted software system, helping to guide implementation across the nursing team. She provided hands-on technical support and collaborated closely with the software provider to ensure a smooth rollout. Her support has helped students and families access vision and hearing resources seamlessly when needed.
In addition to her district-wide work, Jimenez is the school nurse for Turtle Rock Elementary School and University Park Elementary School. At these two sites, she has developed an approach to help students receive the care they need while staying present and engaged in the classroom. By guiding students in simple self-care techniques for mild conditions, she empowers them to care for their well-being while still ensuring access to the health office whenever needed. The success of the program has expanded across the district, with other school nurses adopting similar practices.
“Kat is incredibly deserving of this recognition. It not only reflects her individual skill and excellence but also her commitment to elevating the practice of school nursing across IUSD and Orange County,” said IUSD Director of Health Services Shadlie Kensrue.
She will be formally honored at the OCSNO Spring Conference on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
Join us in congratulating Katherine on this award!