LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Amanda Vega was nominated by her district clinic manager, Kelly Moreno.

There are so many reasons why Ms. Vega is a LifeChanger in her community. After years of working tirelessly in the emergency department, she decided to make the change to school nursing after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her heart is in public health, and this was the perfect time to follow her heart. At this time of constant uncertainty, Ms. Vega took the directives regarding contact tracing, testing, and quarantine. She also researched, made calls, and was determined to manage the directives in ways that were beneficial to the students and safe for all nurses in the district. She took the opportunity to present multiple times to different groups in the district in order to teach what was happening and what could be expected in this unknown time. Beyond being there at all times for students, Ms. Vega also took her knowledge to staff at all campuses and departments. Numerous times, she worked after hours and on weekends to make sure everyone had someone to reach out to at all times.

Socorro ISD became the first and only district in the city to have a verified COVID-19 vaccination site in its employee health clinic. As a result, they received their own allotment of vaccines on numerous occasions. Due to limited staffing, the vaccine clinics were originally supposed to be smaller than what they turned out to be. Ms. Vega rallied up and gathered nurses from other campuses, which allowed the district to provide more than 2,000 vaccines on only three different occasions. Without her spirit and drive, it would have been impossible to gather that kind of assistance so quickly. Her heart is in everything she does, and those around her feel it and want to help with any project she is on.

Ms. Vega has a stellar history wherever she goes. Her team members love her, and managers are constantly trying to get her back. With the start of the pandemic, Ms. Vega realized her love and desire for public health and has since started school to further her education and obtain her Master's degree in Public Health. The desire to do more for her community, but ensuring she has the tools to do so, is another reason she stands out.

Her campus adores her and is often providing her tokens of appreciation. She has an open door policy at all times, but makes sure that nothing goes without information. You will leave her office understanding what to do and when to return, if needed. Her energy is perfect for the high school level, and you will never know if she is having an off day. She makes sure those around her feel the happy and upbeat energy she constantly displays. She not only uses her time at campus for the children, but she teaches the employees about ways to remain safe during this time of uncertainty. The staff often use her to answer other questions they may have about health and wellness, and no one is ever turned away. She is always professional and maintains a level of professionalism that is unmatched.

"I can say with certainty that the district is a better place because of her," said Moreno. "I have nothing but amazement in her abilities, and I'm confident that she will continue to do amazing things for our community as her education continues."