Before becoming a school nurse, Doretta Thomas-Fleet worked at a hospital and also gave medical advice over the phone to parents of children with chronic conditions.

"It takes a lot to get parents to trust you over the phone," Thomas-Fleet said. "That experience prepared me for this job."

BARRY WILLIAMS/Special (ENLARGE)

RELATED LINKS: • Complete list of Nursing Excellence Awards nominees • Celebrating Nurses

Thomas-Fleet, 40, works at Heritage School, a DeKalb County school for children age 3 to 13 who have profound multiple physical and mental disabilities.

"This is a very special school, and we do good work here," Thomas-Fleet said. "We put on plays and talent shows, have a yearbook ... Our saying is that 'we're going to do it for the children.' We have to, because they can't do it for themselves."

Following individual care regimens for about 50 children — most of whom need wheelchairs and can't verbalize their needs — is a tall order. Thomas-Fleet's duties include administering medications, giving nebulizer and breathing treatments, suctioning lungs, doing catheterizations, monitoring shunts and seizures, feeding students and handling emergencies.

"She is very enthusiastic, has such a positive spirit and makes those around her feel good," said co-worker Rachel Marie Galotti, who nominated Thomas-Fleet for the award. "She is our school's guardian angel."

Thomas-Fleet enjoys getting to know each child and watching them grow. "I just love them. My children know that, and their parents do, too."