Braintree Health, School Nurses Named MLK Citizens of the Year

BRAINTREE, MA — Town officials celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by honoring the town's school nurses and public health nurses for their work trying to keep residents safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, town officials observed the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. with a virtual video ceremony. In addition to the remembrance of King, Mayor Charles Kokoros honored health the nurses with the MLK Citizen of the Year Award.

Kokoros said both the school nurses and Braintree Public Health have gone "above and beyond" their daily responsibilities. Their work includes working with the town's health department to conduct contact tracing, and as vaccines become available, they will help administer them to Braintree's first responders.

The following people were named citizens of the year:

- Jean Afzali – Director of School Nursing Services
- Jane Bagley – Hollis Elementary School Nurse
- Diane Bulman – Braintree High School Nurse
- Cheryl Campbell – Morrison Elementary School Nurse
- Peggy Ciulla – Pre School Nurse
- Sara Crowley – Monatiquot School Kindergarten Center Nurse
- Ashley Dias – Braintree High School Nurse
- Heather Driscoll – South Middle School Nurse
- Karen Hubbard – Interim Director of School Nursing Services
- Joanne Kelly – Liberty Elementary School Nurse
- Casey McDonough – South Middle School Nurse
- Ashley McHugh – Monatiquot School Kindergarten Nurse
- Carolynn Moore – Braintree Public Health Nurse
- Heidi Morris – Braintree High School Nurse
- Mary Mulready – Braintree Public Health Nurse
- Heidi Olson – Ross Elementary School Nurse
- MaryAnn O’Rourke – East Middle School Nurse
- Kelly Perfetti – Highlands Elementary School Nurse
- Judy Sellon – Flaherty Elementary School Nurse
- Ellen Wright – East Middle School Nurse

"These nurses have made a tremendous impact in our community and in keeping with Dr. King’s efforts, stepped up to help others during a time of great uncertainty," Kokoros said. "They continue to care for our children at school while at the same time ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents in our community and are the most deserving of receiving this prestigious honor."

The ceremony honoring the nurses can be watched in the video below from the town's YouTube page.