Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA) is proud to announce that Laura Bryant, a nationally certified school nurse serving Mount Pleasant Elementary School, has been named the 2025 North Carolina School Nurse of the Year by the School Nurse Association of North Carolina (SNANC).
Nurse Bryant was honored during the 40th Annual North Carolina School Nurse Conference, held December 11th and 12th at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. Members of the CHA School Health team attended the conference to celebrate this prestigious statewide recognition.
With nearly 23 years of dedicated service as a full-time school health nurse, Nurse Bryant is widely respected for her compassionate, holistic approach and her deep-rooted commitment to the community she serves. A lifelong resident of the area, she has made a lasting impact on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of generations of students, families, and school staff. “She consistently emulates warmth, humility, and compassion in her service to others. She always expresses appreciation for the efforts of those around her, creating a positive and supportive environment,” shared Kim Ragan, Nurse Bryant’s supervisor and School Health Assistant Director.
“What an honor it is to be named SNANC School Nurse of the Year. This award isn’t just mine. It belongs to my incredible Cabarrus Health Alliance and Mt. Pleasant Elementary School teams,” said Bryant. “I am continuously guided, supported, valued, appreciated, and loved, which allows me to care for the students, staff, and families who inspire me on a daily basis. I am truly blessed to have the trust and connection with families, and I consider it a privilege to be a constant support for the students in my community.”
Throughout her career, Nurse Bryant has gone beyond the traditional role of a school nurse. She introduced innovative wellness programs, mentored new nurses and nursing students, advocated for school health at the county level, and connected families to vital community resources. “This nurse exemplifies what it means to be a school nurse in today’s world – not just a caregiver, but a leader, educator, advocate, and community partner,” shared Alyn Szymanski, Principal at Mount Pleasant Elementary School. “She is a cornerstone of our school and a role model for us all. Our school community is grateful that we can focus on teaching and learning because of her dedication to each one of us.”
This recognition highlights a long-standing commitment to school health and the strength of the partnership between Cabarrus County, Cabarrus County Schools, and Cabarrus Health Alliance. CHA employs school nurses for all Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools, ensuring there is a nurse on every school campus.
For more information about Cabarrus Health Alliance School Health services, visit https://www.cabarrushealth.org/145/School-Health.
