RANDOLPH, Vt.— Gifford is pleased to welcome Kathleen Bryant, MPH, APRN, BC as its new school-based nurse practitioner. Bryant will primarily work with students in the health clinics of the local elementary and high schools. This on-site care provides access in a unique way that is convenient for both the children and their parents.
Bryant comes to Gifford with 20 years of experience as a nurse practitioner. During that time, she has worked in school-based health centers in Vermont, including Berlin where she created and coordinated a program in the local PreK-8 school. Bryant also spent time in nursing education at both Norwich University and the University of Vermont. She received her Masters in Public Health at UVM.
As a nurse practitioner, Bryant can provide primary and acute care as well as mental health support. One of Bryant’s goals as Gifford’s school-based nurse practitioner is to look at ways to improve the health of the communities she serves.
“Having somebody in the school to provide care does make a positive impact on the health of children in our communities,” Bryant said. “By being in the school, you develop a different relationship with the children that you don’t get with a periodic visit to the clinician’s office. We’re also keeping them in school instead of shortening their school day for a medical appointment.”
Bryant is looking forward to getting to know the community. She enjoys the outdoors and loves to hike, ski and swim.
