Gail Zukosky, a Fairfax County Health Department nurse, known for her passion for working with children who have intellectual disabilities, was chosen as this year’s Public Health Nurse of the Year. Zukosky dedicates much of her time working at the Key Center in Springfield, Virginia. The Center is co-located with Key Middle School and educates children with emotional, cognitive and physical challenges. Zukosky’s leadership led to the creation of the “Peer to Peer” program which partners Key Middle School students with children at the Key Center. She trains the students to understand the behaviors and developmental abilities of the Center’s children, which creates lasting relationships and enables the students to better understand children with disabilities.
Judy Lee, a Chesterfield Health District nurse, was also honored as Regional Nurse of the Year. Judy has been a public health nurse for more than 13 years in numerous Chesterfield County public schools and has received accolades for her dedication to the students and staff at Meadowbrook High School. She provides public health programs education programs and serves as a role model for School Health Services Team members. Judy is a collaborative leader, organizing school-based flu clinics for 29 nurses serving 62 schools. She serves as a mentor to new public health nurses, is a shelter team leader and also devotes time as a volunteer for at out-of-state shelters.