Shamokin Area Middle/High School has a new nurse, and this time, we hope she stays! Nurse Sherry Anderson replaces Nurse Jenifer Kepner, who left the district Feb. 3. 

  Kepner replaced Nurse Keesha Kripplebauer, who held the position during the 2021-2022 school year, following the retirement of school nurse Sandy Zurick, who had an impressive  20-year career taking care of the district’s children. 

   Anderson attended Danville Area Community College’s School of Nursing. Even though she has been in the school for about 16 years, this is her first few weeks as the school nurse. Originally, she wanted to be a marine biologist, instead of a school nurse.  “I love the ocean and sea animals, it’s my thing,”  she said.

   Additionally, she enjoys riding her Harley-Davidson in her free time.  She's married and has a 15-year-old daughter, Sara. 

   Until Anderson was hired, other nurses in the district helped out. Shamokin Area’s nursing staff includes: Nicole Worgen - Certified School Nurse - Elem and Md/HS, Pre-K Counts; Corrine Carpenter- Elem, Lourdes, Pre-K Counts; Wendy Fegley - Elem, MD/HS, Meadowview Christian Academy, Pre-K Counts; and Sherry Anderson- Elem, MD/HS buildings. KellyAnn Kelly helps out in the nurse office in the elementary school when there is a backup, but she is also the nurse in the MDS room.

  Anderson replaced Kepner, who left Shamokin Area to serve as a nurse practitioner at Wellpath, a healthcare provider.

  “I am now a nurse practitioner, so I'll be working at a doctor’s office; it’s not about the money,” Kepner explained in an interview earlier this school year. “I worked really hard in college, completed it (her nurse practitioner license), and wanted to use it.” Kepner knew about the school’s history with ‘losing’ nurses and added, “It broke my heart, but I can't wait to use my license.’’

  But as Mr. Matthew Weller, guidance counselor, said, “It's a great move for her; it's closer to her.”

 When asked what she will miss the most about Shamokin Area, she replied with a heartfelt smile, “I’ll miss the students.” 

  Kepner didn’t think her job at Shamokin Area would be temporary.  “I didn't think it was going to be short term. I have worked in a school since 2008. I wasn’t considering short term at all,” she explained. “I was testing and passed, so all of that fell into place. I passed and got my license in physical form so everything fell into place.”