Julie is a nationally certified school who has been employed by DoDEA since 2008. She enjoyed working with students from all three educational levels at Yokota Air Base until she received a transfer to Okinawa, Japan where she remains at Stearley Heights ES on Kaden Air Base. Julie has also worked in a wide variety of medical environments in her thirty-one years as a nurse such as addiction/recovery, case management, medical investigations, telephonic nursing and home health infusion therapy. She has taken on educational roles such as providing training and support as the Aspen Nurse Trainer for Honshu Japan and then Okinawa. She has been involved in developing continuing education courses where nurses could obtain college credits toward DoDEA requirements. She considers continuing education vital to her school nurse position by attending not only the Overseas School Health Nurses Association (OSHNA) conferences, but the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) summer conferences as well. This practice provides the much needed information and research required for school nurses to keep their practice not only current, but medically and educationally sound. The connections made at the conferences both professionally and socially nurture a sense of professionalism while maintaining the spirit of what it means to be a nurse and a healthy individual as well. Being active in the OSHNA organization is one way that she gives back to fellow nurses that have aided her along the way. Julie has been the OSHNA treasure for the past four years and has been recently elected as President Elect. This decision was empowered by her peers and participation in supporting the last three OSHNA conferences in the Pacific. She strongly encourages other nurses to take on leadership roles and share their vast knowledge and experience with peers and the community alike.
Past President Holly Gouldman, BSN, RN, NCSN
Holly has been a school nurse with DoDEA for 18 years. All 18 years have been served in Okinawa, Japan at elementary, middle, and high school levels. She served as the OSHNA President from 2016-2017, President-Elect from 2015-2016, and Secretary from 2013-2015. Holly was awarded the 2012 Overseas School Health Nurses Association's (OSHNA) School Nurse of the Year. Her commitment to School Nursing is also evidenced by her re-certification as a Nationally Certified School Nurse. As OSHNA Past-President, Holly plans to continue working with the OSHNA Board of Directors and members to plan rewarding opportunities for professional growth. "I encourage each of you to become involved in OSHNA, your professional organization and NASN affiliate. By combining our strengths as individual school nurses, our schools, communities, and profession will benefit. What is your strength? How can you grow within your profession?" The OSHNA Board welcomes your participation and ideas.
Cindy has over thirty years of nursing experience which includes 17 years as a school nurse. Her diverse professional career includes staff and administrative positions while serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Red Cross volunteer, nurse educator, and school nurse for the Department of Defense schools. Realizing the need for a more thorough background in independently caring for students and staff, she completed a Master’s program culminating in obtaining her certification as a family nurse practitioner. Her master’s thesis was an original research project which explored adolescent expectations of the school nurse role which she presented at the 2010 National School Nurse Association’s annual conference. She is a Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership fellow and serves as an Editorial Board member for “NASN School Nurse.”
Professional Development Coordinator Joanne Richmond, BSN, RN
“Nurse Jody” has been a school nurse at Kaiserslautern High school for over 13 years. She has over 30+ years of nursing experience. She has been a member of the OSHNA board for most of her 13 years with DoDEA, holding offices from President to our current Professional Development Coordinator.
President-Elect Leah Glynn, MA, MSN, RN, NCSN
Leah has been a school nurse since 2011. She began her career as an L&D nurse in Jacksonville, NC, and transitioned into school nursing to spend more time with her son. She still worked at the hospital on weekends until 2015. In 2012, she earned her Master’s in Nursing and also became National Certified School Nurse. In January 2014, she began her career in with DoD at Bitz Intermediate School. In 2015, she moved to Okinawa, JP to work at Bob Hope Primary. In 2016, she started a second Masters in Psychology for the sole purpose of being able to advocate for children. Leah has served in leadership roles since entering nursing school and actively advocates for school nurses. She has served as the Technology Chairperson for OSHNA since 2015, and served as the OSHNA Scholarship Chairperson in 2016. Leah feels that being a part of nursing organizations and taking on leadership roles is one of the best ways to advocate for the profession. She is passionate about encouraging education and evidence-based practice.
Treasurer Brian Durrant, BSN, RN
I’m thrilled to be serving on the OSHNA board of directors as treasurer. This organization has been a tremendous resource for helping me develop professionally in school nursing since I joined in 2014 and I feel honored to fulfill the treasury responsibilities for the second year of my term. Originally I come from Toledo, Ohio (Home of the Toledo Mud Hens, Jamie Farr, you know… The Glass City!) where I worked in cardiac nursing care at Toledo Hospital. I graduated with my BSN from Ohio University and before that I earned my ADN through Owens Community College. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying a career change to school nursing since I began working with DoDEA in 2012. Currently, I am the school nurse at Daegu Elementary School located on Camp George in South Korea. My wife Sarah, daughter Willow and I have enjoyed 6 amazing years in Daegu so far; Sarah is the K-5 visual arts teacher at our school and we both share a passion for the health and education of our 400 student population. During my time in Daegu I’ve been an active American Red Cross volunteer, substitute teacher, Army Clinic staff nurse, CPR instructor and head coach of varsity girls’ soccer at Daegu High School. My future career goals are to obtain my NCSN as well as begin the coursework towards my MPH degree.
Parliamentarian Miyoung Cho, BSN, RN
It is an honor to serve another year as Parliamentarian on the OSHNA Board of Directors. I have served as a school nurse for over 17 years in Korea and as a nurse officer in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years. I am a lifetime member of the 38th Parallel Nursing Society and have served as treasurer for the professional association of education, PDK Seoul Chapter 1423. I have been a member of the Korea Council of Overseas Schools (KORCOS) for the past 11 years. During the course of my service, I have been actively involved with numerous school, community, and host nation initiatives and programs that help to promote healthier lifestyles for the students. It gives me joy to help care for the medical, physical, and social needs of students, staff, and parents.
Membership Coordinator Donna Buckner, BSN, RN, NCSN It is my pleasure to join the Leadership Board of OSHNA as Membership Coordinator. Originally from North Carolina, I hold a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Financial Management from the University of North Carolina-Asheville and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Winston-Salem State University. I hold credentials as a Registered Nurse (RN) and as a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN since 2015). Serving as a school nurse since 2013, I worked 2 years at the American International School Dhaka (Bangladesh) serving students from preschool through grade 12 and am now in my third year at Sha Tin College in Hong Kong serving students in Years 7 to 13 (equivalent to grades 6-12). Prior to my appointment as a school nurse, I worked as a nurse for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in the Medical Surgical Unit. My interest in the medical field begin early in my career. Before becoming a nurse, I worked 3 years as the office manager for a thriving family medical practice and 5 years as a medical transcriptionist for the radiology department of a regional hospital and for multiple family physicians.
My husband and I have two grown children who live in the United States. In my free time I enjoy running, biking and reading. As a school nurse, I have a particular interest in the emotional well-being of all students and staff, and I strive to make my office space welcoming and accessible to students and parents. I am delighted to invite all overseas school nurses to join OSHNA and participate in the important work of advocating for the health of all students.
School Nursing has become a great joy in my life. I started out in school nursing in a rural county in North Carolina and quickly learned how vital school nurses are to health and well-being of the community. Each day I set out to make a difference in the life of staff or student by educating, listening, and using my skill set. If I make a difference in one life, I've done my job for the day. Nursing is a truly an art form, especially within schools.
