LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Yolanda Piedra was nominated by a member of the community, Maria Teresa G. Pedroche.

Ms. Piedra received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Texas at El Paso, Texas in 1994. Ms. Piedra began her journey in nursing immediately after graduating college. She worked her first job at Las Palmas/Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso as a registered nurse.  During this time, she recorded patients’ medical history, vital statistics, and test results in medical records. She actively participated in unit-based Quality Assurance Programs and performed all tasks with a patient-centered focus while seeking opportunities for improvement of processes and treatments. Her other duties included implementing new floor assignments based on evaluation of staffing requirements, as well as assisting patients with healing and recovery after surgery. She provided necessary health education training for patients and managed caseloads of up to 12 patients, providing treatments, IV therapy, venipuncture, and wound care. She was responsible for primary care, case management, and medication management, utilizing strong assessment skills to determine necessary patient care. Ms. Piedra coordinated with doctors and registered nurses to develop care plans for patients.

In 2001, Ms. Piedra took on a new position at the Department of Human Services in El Paso, TX as a nurse surveyor/inspector for Long Term Care Regulatory. She received extensive training of the survey process, deficiency writing, communication skills, and federal regulations. She regulated Long Term Care Facilities for the elderly, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and elderly day care services. She was also responsible for the regulation of Certified Nursing Assistant School Programs.

Having worked in two different environments, Ms. Piedra excelled and continued to make strides in her career as a registered nurse. Always looking to grow professionally and learn more along the way, Ms. Piedra decided to go into the public school system. In 2002, she began a new chapter in her career as a registered nurse for the Ysleta Independent School District.

Ms. Piedra has 19 years of experience as a school nurse with excellent communication, time management, and teaching skills. She has always been a leader with a strong desire to focus on preventative care and health education to school staff, students, and the community. Prior to school nursing, she also worked as a primary care medical/surgical nurse for 10 years.

Prior to COVID-19, Ms. Piedra was making a difference in her community and school. Even though COVID-19 brought about numerous different challenges, Ms. Piedra took them on with a positive attitude. She was able to maintain strong relationships as she continued to serve the school, faculty, and community. With the pandemic in full swing, Ms. Piedra stepped up and used all her years of knowledge and experience to ensure that everything that needed to get done, got done. At a time when things were changing almost daily, Ms. Piedra was able to provide organization and structure to her campus as the lead health care provider.

Ms. Piedra's licenses include being a registered nurse in the State of Texas, CPR certification through American Heart Association, and vision and audiometry certification in the State of Texas. Ms. Piedra is fluent in English and Spanish, and she's knowledgeable in medical/clinical procedures. Having worked in different settings, she is culturally sensitive knowledgeable about infection control standards. Ms. Piedra is familiar with disease management and medical ethic programs, and she's an enthusiastic caregiver. She is also skilled in conducting physical examinations.

Her professional experience includes working as a school nurse, not only in Ysleta ISD, but in Dallas ISD at the Young Men’s Leadership Academy at Fred F. Florence Middle School. She is sound, ethical, and has independent decision-making abilities consistent with medical protocols. She utilizes strong assessment skills to determine necessary care. Ms. Piedra keeps students' immunization records updated and conducts vision, hearing, scoliosis, and diabetes screenings. She administers medication as needed, provides first aid, and assesses students daily. She provides overall health care to staff, students, and parents to include in-services as needed. Ms. Piedra serves 658 students at Young Men’s Leadership Academy at Fred F. Florence Middle School. In some days, she sees as many as 52 students in a given day.

"It is an honor to nominate Yolanda Piedra, as she always goes above and beyond to serve DISD and her school," said Pedroche. "Adelante! Onward!"