Emily Hunter, the school nurse at Rhawnhurst Elementary School in Philadelphia, has been named the 2025 National School Nurse of the Year for Pennsylvania by the National Association of School Nurses and the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners.
The honor recognizes the Eastern University graduate’s outstanding contributions to student health, educational equity, and professional leadership in school nursing.
Hunter was chosen from the 2024 regional winners of the School Nurse Excellence Award, having previously been recognized as the top school nurse in the Philadelphia region.
“It’s an incredible privilege to represent Philadelphia on the national stage,” she said. “Our students are resilient, vibrant, and full of potential. Supporting their health and well-being is the most meaningful work I could ever imagine. I love supporting my fellow school nurses in their journeys, and I hope my passion inspires others to love school nursing as much as I do.”
For the past seven years, Hunter has served the School District of Philadelphia as a full-time certified school nurse. By helping students face complex health and social challenges, she has become a trusted anchor for families, responding to emergencies, managing chronic conditions, promoting wellness, and delivering culturally responsive care to an increasingly diverse student body.
Equipped with a Master of Education in School Health Services from Eastern and a clinical background in emergency trauma, labor and delivery, and pediatrics, Hunter brings a rare blend of medical expertise and educational insight. She creates engaging, age-appropriate health education materials on topics such as asthma, eczema, allergies, and diabetes, helping students take ownership of their health in meaningful, empowering ways.
To those who know her, this recognition comes as no surprise. At Rhawnhurst Elementary, Hunter is more than a healthcare provider, she’s a vital part of the school community. Whether she’s greeting students with high-fives at the door, caring for a diabetic child, or conducting screenings in the gym, she does it with compassion, energy, and a smile.
“She never gets cranky with the kids,” said one special education assistant at Rhawnhurst. “No matter how hectic the day gets, Nurse Hunter brings the same calm, caring energy every time. The kids know they can count on her, and so do we.”
Hunter’s recent recognition reflects both the science and soul of her approach: she not only manages medical needs, but also builds trust, champions equity, and ensures every student feels seen, safe, and supported.
Beyond her daily role, Hunter is also a CPR instructor, mentor, author, and content creator for school health professionals. She is deeply involved in advocacy work for underserved communities and is passionate about bridging barriers to care, especially for Philadelphia’s growing immigrant population.
Looking ahead, her goals include becoming certified to provide continuing education credits for health professionals, pursuing a second master’s degree in nursing to teach future nurses, and potentially earning a Ph.D. in public health.
For Hunter, this award is both a celebration and a call to action.
“This honor reflects the hard work school nurses do every day behind the scenes,” she said. “It reminds me how important it is to keep advocating, educating, and showing up for the kids who need us most. I am deeply grateful to my school community — staff, students, families, and especially my administrators and district coordinators — for their unwavering support and trust in me.”
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