Downers Grove South High School nurse Gloria E. Barrera received the Everett I. Hageman Volunteerism Award at the Friends of Public Health Celebration at the 78th Annual Meeting of the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) in Springfield, IL on September 11, 2019. Barrera received this honor in recognition from IPHA for "her outstanding contribution to public health in Illinois."
“Congratulations to Ms. Barrera and her well-deserved honor,” said Ed Schwartz, school principal. “We are proud of her significant contributions at South High and throughout the state.”
The Everett I. Hageman Volunteerism Award is given to an individual whose dedication to volunteer efforts to improve the public’s health is exemplified through a leadership or support role over a sustained period of time.
Gloria E. Barrera, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN is a certified school nurse and adjunct nursing professor at DePaul University, Capella University, and her alma mater Saint Xavier University. For nearly a decade, Barrera has provided exceptional nursing care to more than 3,000 students and staff members in similar roles and has dedicated her career to public health. Barrera actively collaborates with community stakeholders to promote health and well-being and ensures access to health care services.
At South High School, she has organized several new initiatives to promote health and wellness for her staff and students including Go Red for Women and a Wellness Day.
In addition, she serves as Treasurer of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses-Illinois Chapter (NAHN-IL) and she will also be taking office as President Elect of the Illinois Association of School Nurses (IASN) in October. Barrera serves on two committees for the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE) and is an active member of ANA-Illinois.
Another volunteer effort which earned Barrera this award was that she played an integral part of organizing medical missions to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Barrera’s fundraising efforts through NAHN-Illinois raised thousands of dollars to support missions that would send doctors, nurses, and medical supplies to Puerto Rico.
For more information about the 2019 IPHA Award Winners, visit their website.
l-r: Tom Hughes, Executive Director of IPHA; Gloria E. Barrera, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN; Toni Corona, President of IPHA