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Christine Chapman, nurse at Russell Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District, is being recognized by the National Association of School Nurses as a winner of the 2010 Voices of Meningitis Challenge. She’ll present the efforts of her educational campaign to inform the public about meningitis at a conference in July.
(Posted April 12, 2011)

For her efforts to educate the public about meningitis and its vaccine, Christine Chapman, RN, school nurse at Russell Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District, is being recognized by the National Association of School Nurses as a winner of the 2010 Voices of Meningitis Challenge.
Chapman is one of five winners who earned a trip to the 2011 Annual NASN Conference in Washington, D.C. in July. She will share the experience of her educational campaign about meningitis through a presentation.
She was motivated to take the challenge after attending a session at the NASN conference last summer.
“It was an impressive presentation. A mother and her son, who is a survivor of meningitis, spoke and shared their experience with the disease. They asked for help in spreading the word about the meningitis vaccination,” said Chapman. The disease caused the boy to lose a foot and the fingers from one hand.
“He has such a spirit, and his mom really touched my heart,” Chapman said after meeting the family.
She said the mother didn’t know the vaccine existed. Chapman had a scare with meningitis with her own son, but he had the flu. The symptoms for both conditions are similar.
“At the time, I asked his doctor about a vaccine, and now he and both of my granddaughters have been vaccinated,” Chapman said.
She has worked diligently in “getting the word out about the vaccine. It treats four out of five types of meningitis,” she explained.
“I went to the Voices of Meningitis website and got materials. I made a presentation board and I downloaded a video. I wanted this to be something easy and portable.”
She started her campaign with presentations to the nurses of the District. She had information for parents at the immunization clinic held during the HSD Back-to-School Fair, as well as during kindergarten information meetings. Her presentation includes a large stuffed bear wearing a pin in support of the vaccine.
“A few people have called me to let me know they got the vaccination,” she said. The age range for the vaccine is 11 to 18 years old, but college-age students can get it as well.
“I was so shocked that they picked me. I wasn’t doing it for recognition. I felt it was important to get the word out,” said Chapman.  “I have learned so much more about meningitis. I hope to get more nurses onboard. If you go to the website, voicesofmeningitis.com, you’ll understand why it’s important to know about this disease.” (story courtesy of Hazelwood District Communications Dept. )

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