Page 16 - KMAland Healthcare Heroes

16 A Salute to KMAland Healthcare Heroes KMAland 2021
Page County Public Health and the Shenandoah Medi- While she never imagined that school nursing would
cal Center, and helping with vaccinations of the district be part of her career path, it has been very rewarding
staff. and fulfilling.
While the school year looks different, Laughlin com- “I really enjoy getting to know the students and their
mended the district on planning ahead, which started families,” she said. “It is fun to see students grow, ma-
in June 2020, involving many to decide the best course ture, and succeed in high school, as well as develop
of action for the schools. relationships with them. I consider it an honor to be
Besides serving as the school nurse, Laughlin is also part of a student’s path in high school.”
the instructor for Intro to Health Care, the class for Dr. Marv Belknap, who was part of the Shenandoah
nurse assistants (CNA), medical terminology and CPR. High Class of 1965 and had a private dental practice
When asked if she’s seen a shift in her students and in town for 40 years, echoes Laughlin’s sentiments.
how they view a possible career path in the healthcare “Choosing a healthcare career will certainly involve
field in the midst of a pandemic, Laughlin said she strong academic and clinical challenges,” he said. “But,
thinks “the pandemic has inspired students to a call-to- by so doing, you will be rewarded in many ways, most
serve, in many professions. If anything, it has highlight- importantly the gratitude received from your patients.”
ed what a necessity the work is of healthcare workers One organization in the community that is on a mis-
and all essential workers. Living through a global pan- sion to do positive things for both students and staff
demic has definitely reinforced what the cycle of infec- is the Shenandoah Iowa Education Foundation. From
tion is; how important such measures as hand washing providing grants to teachers for special programs and
or wearing a mask are to break the cycle of infection, equipment, to scholarships for seniors, the foundation
and data monitoring.” Laughlin has been a nurse for 29 is excited to be growing and providing opportunities.
years and has been the Shenandoah High School nurse Since its inception, the endowment for the foundation
since 2012. is at almost half a million dollars.
As graduation approaches this spring, the seniors
of the class of 2021 will benefit from the donations of
many generous people.
Dr. Shannon Harris, who along with her parents
Craig and Kathy Harris and brother Chad Harris, be-
came the 25th family to donate to the foundation’s Fam-
Dr. Shannon Harris ily Challenge near the end of 2020’s is a 1991 graduate
of SHS. And she is a private practice physician with a
specialty in obstetrics and gynecology in the Twin Cit-
ies area of Minnesota.
When Harris reflects on her days as a student in
Shenandoah to now being a medical professional, she
said it was “important to me to give to the education
foundation, because I want students to pursue their
goals without worry that finances are a barrier to
higher education.
“Without scholarships I would have had a much
harder time pursuing my degrees, and likely
would have had to work more jobs or spend more
time away from studies in order to make it work,”
she said. “I received a variety of scholarships from
community organizations, and I am extremely
grateful for the help!”
If you are interested in donating to help future
medical professionals graduate from the
Shenandoah Community Schools, please visit our web-
site www.shenandoahiowaeducationfoundation.org.
If you have any questions, contact the foundation’s
executive director Jamie Burdorf atj_burdorf@yahoo.com
or call her at 515-520-7641.