Season 3 Episode 8: Exploring the Systems Behind Student Well‑Being with Jamie Smith

May is a month when we recognize the vital role of school nurses—professionals who form the backbone of student health and safety. With National School Nurse Day observed on the first Wednesday of May, this episode of Leaders Build Leaders couldn’t be more timely.

I sat down with Jamie Smith, Senior Program Administrator for School Health Services at Multnomah Education Service District (MESD). Jamie leads coordinated school health efforts across multiple districts, work that mirrors the very purpose of School Nurse Day: honoring those who ensure students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. His leadership and the work of his team: 

• Provide nursing care, care coordination, and prevention services across districts
• Operate at the intersection of education and public health
• Remove barriers so students can fully access learning—physically and emotionally

Visit multnomahesd.org to learn more about Health Services.