School nurse Jonalyn Yu, who has tended to sick youngsters at Sasebo Naval Base’s Darby Elementary School for the past five years, was recently selected as Overseas School Nurse of the Year, according to a DODDS release.
Yu was nominated by Darby Principal John Mueller, who applauded her hard work and dedication. She will receive an award from the Overseas School Nurses Association this fall at the organization’s annual conference, the release said.
The award is presented by the Overseas School Health Nurse Association, a nonprofit for registered nurses employed with the Department of Defense Dependents Schools system abroad. The organization has more than 100 members in 12 countries.
Yu will advance to compete against school nurses from the 50 states for the National School Nurse of the Year. The honoree will be announced in the spring, according to the organization’s Web site.
Yu joined the Darby staff in 2000 as a teacher’s aide and took on the nursing position three years later. A registered nurse for nearly 30 years, she’s worked in hospitals and agencies around the globe, including Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.
Yu said being selected as Overseas School Nurse of the Year has been a humbling experience. She said it’s her interaction with the kids that keeps her inspired.
"When the kids come in and they’re crying and they leave your office smiling and happy and content, I think that’s what makes my day," she said.
