Joan Mandzuk

In February, Senator Lieberman honored Joan Mandzuk as one of "Joe's Heroes" for her work as a school nurse at Danbury High School. This year, Joan was awarded "School Nurse of the Year" by the Association of School Nurses of Connecticut. She previously worked in the surgical unit of the Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, then as a staff relief nurse in Danbury and New Milford Hospital, and finally as a substitute nurse for the Danbury and Brookfield school systems. Joan has worked with the students and staff of Danbury High School for over 10 years.

Senator Lieberman selected Joan as one of Joe's Heroes for her outstanding commitment to the health and wellbeing of the students and staff of Danbury High School. A large school, Danbury High School has over 3,000 students and 250 staff, out of which Joan estimates her team of three nurses sees 100 in an average day. Senator Lieberman notes, "Joan Mandzuk is hero and a leader. Danbury High School relies on her keep them healthy, both physically and mentally. To be effective as a school nurse, you must be part clinician, advocate, teacher, public health worker, personal trainer, counselor, and cheerleader. Joan has played all of these roles gracefully, and we admire and appreciate her."