School Nurse Superpower Nominees

Karen Palm, Med, BSN, RN, is Lexington Public Schools’ (LPS) Nurse Care Coordinator. Her school nurse superpower is “Quiet Strength.” Though calm and reserved, she is a powerful, steady force within LPS, making a meaningful impact through unwavering dedication, deep expertise, and thoughtful leadership. As Nurse Care Coordinator, Karen Palm serves as a cornerstone of the district’s nursing team, consistently going above and beyond to support students, families, and colleagues. Karen is widely regarded as a trusted expert in school health policies, protocols, and procedures. Her depth of knowledge and experience make her an invaluable resource, and her colleagues regularly seek her guidance when navigating complex student care needs. She approaches every situation with clarity and intention, ensuring care is safe, effective, and compassionate. Her Quiet Strength is equally evident in her work with families. Karen partners closely with them to navigate access to public health insurance and provides clear, reliable health information. Her ability to connect families with essential resources has made a lasting difference across the school community. Behind the scenes, Karen plays a critical role in system-level work. She collaborates on the district’s annual state reporting and SBIRT data submission, ensuring accuracy and compliance. She also leads the planning and implementation of the Quality Improvement project for the Comprehensive School Health Services (CSHS) grant program—directly strengthening the care students receive. This year, her leadership stood out in coordinating the nursing team’s professional learning program during Lexington Learns Together. She thoughtfully organized a full-day, high-impact training in collaboration with the assistant fire chief, equipping the team with life-saving skills in Narcan administration, acute coronary syndrome recognition, and Stop the Bleed techniques. Karen’s superpower shows up in how she sees what others need, makes expert decisions with precision, and leads with empathy, kindness, and professionalism. She holds herself—and her work—to the highest standards, creating a sense of trust and reliability for all those around her. Karen Palm doesn’t need to be loud to lead. Her Quiet Strength—expressed through consistency, compassion, and excellence—makes a lasting difference every single day. She is truly deserving of recognition for the profound impact she has on students, families, and colleagues alike.