LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dionisia Munoz was nominated by her colleague, Jason Salhaney.

“I am here. How can I help?" The is the first comment Ms. Munoz makes whenever she enters a building. Her dominant attitude is “get it done” wherever she goes.  Nurse Munoz spends her days in and out of the eight schools that make up Van Buren Public Schools. Typically, she starts with the students at 8:00 AM dressed in her burgundy scrubs with her hair pulled into a tight pony.  Because of COVID-19, she no longer works the typical 8-4, but often continues later into the evening to ensure contract tracing and calls have been made for that day.  She knows she can’t afford to wait another day with these duties.  It’s a lot of hours, but she takes on these responsibilities as if it is a calling.  Nurse Munoz's schedule can be chaotic at times, but she is always “present” with her home and work duties.

Like clockwork, Nurse Munoz is stationed at Owen Intermediate every Tuesday. A text reminds staff that today is the day to get a COVID-19 naval swab if they aren’t already lined up before school outside of the health clinic. Nurse Munoz wants to ensure all staff are healthy enough to be in front of the kids  While she is busy administering the tests, her mind is in warp speed thinking about the students who test positive for COVID-19, contact tracing, sending notices to family and staff, and helping students and staff learn about their everyday health issues. 

“She makes herself available 24 hours a day if needed”, says Salhaney, principal at Owen Intermediate School. "At the conclusion of every staff notice about a student having COVID-19 or being quarantined, she states, 'Please let the teachers know so that the student doesn’t fall behind.' Keeping schools open and students learning is her primary mission."

Outside of her duties with COVID-19, Nurse Munoz provides ongoing training to teachers, secretaries, and families. She attends IEPs to coordinate and address health concerns that students or families have.  Nurse Munoz is a wealth of knowledge and continuously cultivates partnerships with local hospitals, health care providers, and the County Health Department.  She has the inside track with policy and implementation of protocol updates, getting vaccinations, etc. for students and staff.  

"I can recall the time a fifth grade student, new to having diabetes, had an older version of an insulin monitor," Salhaney said. "Nurse Munoz's first response was to contact his mom and network to get him a new piece of equipment so he could manage his diabetes effectively.  This is the mark of a nurse that ensures a high standard of commitment to her students.  I often say that she sees everyone as 'family' and takes that approach.  Everyone gets what they need."

Nurse Munoz's expertise is especially useful during family meetings where there are health concerns. She will explain and demonstrate the health procedures needed to effectively manage the case.  She is careful to use lay terms and not get non-medical staff confused. 

“She’s a straight shooter when it comes to health care,” says Salhaney.

Dedicated, high-standards, and persistent are three words that would be used to describe Nurse Munoz by anyone who knows her. Ms. Pitt, principal at Tyler Elementary, says, “To do what nobody else will do, a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through. That is Nurse Munoz!"