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Nurse Neff keeping West students healthy
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .West Boulevard school nurse Mary Chianese-Neff is a new, friendly face at the school, where she can usually be found caring for West students in the clinic.
By SARAH FOOR
When West Boulevard’s school nurse Mary Chianese-Neff began her first day on the job this year, she made sure to find two areas in the school first – the gym and the playground.
"It is where most of my business will come from,” Neff said with a laugh.
Before tending to the students at West, Neff enjoyed a varied career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in local medical facilities. Neff clocked 16 years at St. Elizabeth Hospital before exploring home care and medical scheduling. After becoming a school nurse in Youngstown Schools, Neff knew she found a part of medicine that was right for her.
“I love working with the kids. It’s challenging and rewarding in its own special way,” she said.
Neff spends her days administering medications, checking on students with ongoing issues like allergies, asthma, or diabetes and helping patch up scrapes or scratches.
As a nurse at West, Neff hopes to lead health initiatives that will keep the students of the school safe, including informing teachers about medications and making sure that most of her coworkers are CPR-certified.
“After 32 years as a nurse, I know where I want to be. I’m at West for the long haul,” Neff said.