Lisa Bazzarre, school nurse at North Point High School, was recently named the 2026 Nurse of the Year for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS).

She has worked for CCPS for nearly 27 years, after working as the school nurse at the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center, formerly known as the Charles County Vocational-Technical Center, right before she moved to North Point as the school nurse in 2005.

“Every day, she leads with kindness, empathy and genuine care, creating a safe and welcoming space for everyone who walks through her door,” Theresa Seide, physical education and health teacher at North Point, said. “Her compassion and dedication make a lasting impact on our entire school community.”

Nursing services in CCPS are provided through a partnership between the school system and the Charles County Department of Health. Desiree Colvin, school health program manager, said the office solicited nominations from CCPS staff and others to name the CCPS Nurse of the Year.

“Lisa was the clear winner this year. She had so many nominations from nurses, CCPS staff and parents at the school,” Colvin said. “The love that poured out made her a clear recipient of the award.”

School nurses are an integral part of the school, from ensuring that students have the proper medicine during the school day, to tending to cuts and bruises, the role of a nurse continues to be an essential component of the daily success of the students. “I think it’s important they get a shoutout each year for doing such an amazing job,” Lynn Kane, CCPS school health nurse supervisor, said.

Bazzarre got her nursing degree at Catholic University of America and started her career at United Medical Center, formerly Greater Southeast Community Hospital. She stayed there for 15 years. She worked at the hospital with her sister, a retired CCPS school nurse, before they both transitioned to CCPS.

She loves her job so much that she drives an hour to work after moving out of Charles County nine years ago. “It’s the best place to work,” she said. Bazzarre has seen the growth and changes of North Point since the opening of the school. “Some of these people have been here a long time and a lot of graduates come back to the school to teach,” she said. “It tells you a lot about the school.”

Bazzarre is the second recipient of the annual award after Natasha Williams, retired school nurse at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, received last year’s inaugural award.

“Ms. Bazzarre is an outstanding nurse who clearly cares deeply about the students she serves, and she is very deserving of this recognition,” Jessica Davis, math teacher at the school, said.

For more information about CCPS school nurses and the services provided visit https://www.ccboe.com/departments/student-services/school-health-services.  

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 39 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. 

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).