Music that Describes Tammy
Tammy Diaz was nominated by her colleague, Stephanie Choate.
"I have known Tammy for sixteen years, both personally and professionally. We have worked together for MaineGeneral Medical Center and Winslow Public Schools. She has been the full-time school nurse for Winslow Junior High School for six years," said Choate. "She is a kind, energetic, and astute nurse with a passion for public health. Tammy consistently goes above and beyond for her school, our district, and for school nurses throughout the state of Maine."
Ms. Diaz has proven her dedication to her staff and students through all of her actions during her time as the Winslow Junior High School nurse, starting long before the pandemic. She has been a leader for staff and student wellness throughout the district and has worked on grants to assist the district with activities in this area. She has organized flu shot and dental clinics, started a yoga program, and achieved Gold status in Northern Light’s 5210 program. Ms. Diaz has a friendly, approachable demeanor and a knowledge of best practice protocols that makes everyone feel safe and supported.
Ms. Diaz's efforts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic have reached across Maine. She has been an active member of the MASN Board and School Health Advisory Committee. She is constantly doing research to stay up-to-date with the most current information. Ms. Diaz organized a Respiratory Fit Program for school nurses in Waterville, made it possible for school nurses in central Maine to get their COVID-19 vaccines through MaineGeneral Medical Center, assisted with a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for Winslow, Waterville, and Vassalboro schools, and recently started a weekly pooled testing support meeting. She has assisted with countless guidelines and protocols, both in her school district and across the state.
Along with everything mentioned above, Ms. Diaz has also worked at MaineGeneral’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the public and pursued another Master’s degree. Her energy and dedication to enriching her knowledge and taking care of others surpasses all expectations. They're the reasons she's a LifeChanger in her community.
Tammy has made me feel so welcome within at WJHS. As a first year teacher it can be very intimidating to come into a school with so many seasoned professionals but Tammy made sure that I was always greeted with a masked smile and told me that I was doing a great job, which has made all the difference! Thank you Tammy, you deserve this!
You rock! This is well deserved! Thank you for all you do for all the people here at WJHS. You have my vote for sure!
It's been my pleasure and honor to have worked with Tammy at MaineGeneral's COVID-19 Community Vaccination clinics and at our school-located flu vaccination clinics. At our COVID-19 vaccination clinics, Tammy assumed a leadership role as clinical coordinator. She was a rock star at our clinics, going above and beyond to ensure that things ran smoothly, that staff were supported, and that patients and community members were cared for. At one clinic, it had been a long, long day and we had extended clinic time to get extra doses used. Outside, it was cold and rainy and windy. I watched as Tammy went outside, took off her coat, and held it over the head of an elderly community member who was waiting for a family member to bring the car around and pick her up. That kindness and compassion is just at the core of Tammy and it is balm to many who work with her or who are cared for by her. She's been an amazing partner in our school-located flu clinics as well and works with our team to ensure that clinics run smoothly and that students and staff are vaccinated. She's also working with MaineGeneral on an evaluation of our community-based work and how equitable we are in reaching everyone in our communities. She is thoughtful and diligent and has helped us look at how we do things in new ways. Tammy is a public and community health shero! :)
Since the day I met Tammy, I have become aware of the degree of dedication she applies with responsibility to her family, duties at work and participation in public service. I find Tammy to be a focused individual, committed to deliver and complete the duties she selects to impact. Such responsibilities are best known by her local colleagues and co-workers; such list has more detail than I am able to handle.
Aside from her impact in the environments where she roams, you will find Tammy to be a pleasant and friendly person; always open to offer the helping hand and enjoy the moment with colleagues, friends and family.
Add to this her responsibility to her home, children, husband and house pets, and one is amazed with the energy and focused attitude that is possible in a single individual.
I do not have the day-to-day details of Tammy’s activities, nor would I be able to keep up and remember.
I recommend Tammy Diaz to Life Changer of the Year. This is the type of individual we all wish we had on our team.
Congratulations Tammy.
I met Tammy before she became our daughter-in-law and I was impressed from the very beginning by her ability to manage a full-time job, some pretty active boys, and her studies. Tammy is adept at multi-tasking and always seems to have everything under control. Those who see Tammy on a daily basis, see how hard-working and efficient she is. I am certain that being a Lifechanger will allow more people to witness her amazing abilities.
Congratulations, Tammy on this wonderful nomination. Tammy. you have my vote.
Irma Diaz
Congratulations Tammy. Well deserved. You certainly have come a long way from my EMT class.
Congratulations on this wonderful nomination. What an inspiration you are!
I've known Tammy for decades. When we first met she was a diamond in the rough going through very hard times. Over the years, I watched as her true self emerged. Tammy earned her education and career step by determined step to become, and reveal, the strong, smart, capable, compassionate, charming leader, and single mother she is today. Congratulations, Tammy on your well deserved recognition.
Tammy has always been an outside the box thinker. I am so fortunate to work with her. She is so passionate about bridging the gaps between the students, families and the community. She is dedicated to making sure everyone's needs are met by finding ways to help all the students and their families have access to finding care, or finding a provider, she goes above and beyond for everyone. I honestly have never met someone so caring and selfless. She always has a different perspective on how to approach all situations. She takes into account all aspects of each individual she meets and helps. She is a continuous gatherer of information to grow and learn. She is inspiring and motivating. If you want the job done well, she is the one to go to. I am so proud of Tammy and she deserves this award more than anyone. She is a true LifeChanger in her community!!
I would place my vote on this lady everyday if needed. I have know her for many years. As a child she was a leader with all the small cousins. If something needed to be done you could always count on Tammy. I always knew that she would grow into a strong amazing lady will a will and passion to help others. Thank you Tammy for the career that you have chosen, have fought with all your soul to be the best You deserve this award. Keep strong and know I love you, and thank you for being you. Strong, Caring and Passion for others. God Bless
I have known Tammy for six years as a school nurse colleague. I know as the state school nurse consultant that I can call on Tammy to assist with special school nursing projects or just brainstorm new ideas. Her willingness to research best practices in school nursing is thorough and timely. She consistently brings the school nursing perspective to the School Health Advisory Committee to improve health services in all Maine schools, while providing outstanding care in her own school system.
I am proud to call Tammy a colleague and friend.
This lady is a game changer. We need more like her..our world would be a much better place.
As Tammy's mother, I would like to tell you how very proud we of her and also a little bio about her. She's 2nd only to her big sister, in our family, to attend college. She is first generation, and all self made. She worked very hard, in her early 20's putting herself through nursing school, while being the full time mom of two young boys, a volunteer first responder, and working part time. She has sacrificed so very much, all of her life, to get ahead and make a better life for herself and her family. And, she's done this by choosing a career that helps so many others. As all parents I could sit here and go on for the entire day crying out her special qualities. But, in all objectivity, just based on what I know, first hand, about her work, and how she got to her work, I just can't see how anyone couldn't vote for her. She's so very dedicated, self denying, hard working, and community minded driven. We couldn't possibly prouder parents and we hope you give her your vote. She's so deserving of this recognition. She's spent her entire lifetime working toward it. Way to go Tammy. We're proud and we love you.
