Rio Rancho Public Schools recognized its director of school nursing, Lynn Wheeler, as the 2025 Liaison of the Year for national school nursing certification during the July 28 board meeting. Michelle Havel, executive director of student services, presented the recognition and highlighted the district’s concentration of nationally certified school nurses.

Havel said Wheeler had promoted school nursing certification statewide and supported New Mexico House Bill 195, which created statewide stipends for certified school nurses. "Lynn has promoted national school nursing certification through her work in New Mexico. She's promoted New Mexico House Bill 195, which ensured statewide stipends for the national program," Havel said.

Superintendent Lisa Cleveland and board members praised Wheeler’s leadership and noted that four additional district nurses have achieved national certification this year. Board and staff also discussed funding: Havel and Cleveland said Rio Rancho’s school nurses are funded through Medicaid and that district leaders are monitoring federal-level developments because changes to Medicaid could affect that funding stream. "Our school nurses are funded through Medicaid, and so we are continuing to watch very carefully what happens at the national level," Cleveland said.

Wheeler thanked colleagues and said representing school nurses is an honor. Board members commended the nursing staff for their role during and since the pandemic and for managing increasingly complex student health needs.