by DR. ALISON YOUNG-TAN
Nursing is a profession many people recognize, but few understand the specialized paths nurses can take. Public health nursing is one of those roles. To highlight this work, the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) speaks with three of our Senior Community Nurses: Amy Thao, Katherine Pate, and Crystal Williams. With over 25 years of combined experience across clinics and the School Health program, they offer a glimpse into the heart of public health nursing.
What Makes Public Health Nursing Unique?
Pate believes the distinction lies in the scope, “Instead of waiting for illness to present in a clinic setting, public health nurses work proactively to prevent disease, promote wellness, and address root causes before they escalate.”
Thao shares her reflection on the mission behind the role, “Public health nursing is the art of improving the ‘big picture’ health issues, one individual at a time.”
Williams adds insights from the School Health program perspective, “School Health nurses develop care plans and train school staff so students with medical needs can stay safe at school.”
How Public Health Nursing Improves Community Health
As a nurse in the Lakeland Nurse Assessment Clinic (NAC), Thao sees how education can shape healthier futures. “My clients may see me as the nurse who provides pregnancy confirmations or sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatments,” she explained. “But I hope they leave my office with knowledge that empowers them to make the best decisions when it comes to prenatal care and STI prevention.”
Extending the theme of education, Pate describes School Health as, “It’s often the first line of defense. Every time we educate students and staff on illness prevention, we reduce the spread of infections across schools and into the wider community.”
She further stated, “What makes our position impactful in Polk County is our connection to families and access to care. Many students rely on school health services as their only consistent health care touchpoint. By coordinating care, connecting families with resources, and advocating for student needs, we bridge gaps that might otherwise lead to untreated conditions or avoidable hospital visits.”
The work extends beyond clinics and schools, as Williams explained, “We support outreach events, clinics, and dental student training. We also deploy to special needs shelters during severe weather and coordinate with the epidemiology team to stay ready for disease outbreaks.”
A Moment That Shows the Impact of Public Health Nursing
Thao recalls the trust of her clients, “There have been many times where pregnant women come in for pregnancy test confirmation appointments, not because they needed to confirm pregnancy, but because they were alone and didn’t know what to do next,” she said.
She continues, “Besides giving them prenatal education on ways to improve health during pregnancy, I provide them with guidance on how to find prenatal care and connect them with community resources such as Healthy Start, WIC, and United Way. Each time, I hear words of gratitude and relief from these clients.”
Pate highlights the impact of School Health outreach, “I have seen how important the role of health education is in preventing illness and protecting classrooms,” she said.
Williams shares about the impact in schools, “I once identified that a student needed corrective treatment for scoliosis. I help bridge students’ medical needs with their education so they can learn without health issues interrupting school.”
Why Public Health Nursing Matters
For Pate, the motivation comes from the long‑term impact of prevention, “What motivates me is knowing that even small efforts can have a lasting impact on an entire community,” she said. “Public health nursing protects people before health issues arise.”
Thao’s commitment is both professional and personal, “Not only do I love being a nurse, the satisfaction of experiencing a better community for myself and my family motivates me to come into work every day,” she shared. “Public health is the important work of driving all health care services towards the common good and a healthier tomorrow for everyone.”
Williams closes with a reflection on service, “The variety of experiences in my tenure in community health nursing has grown me in unforeseeable ways. I may yet experience more, because my duty is about and for the people. Therefore, it is my pleasure to serve my community.”
About the author: Dr. Alison Young-Tan, an internal medicine/pediatrics physician, currently serves the community as medical director for the Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk).