March 13, 2023 - Downers Grove, Illinois — South High School nurse Gloria E. Barrera is one of 24 nurses from around the country to be selected for The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments Fellowship. As part of the program, nurse fellows partner with community-based organizations to work toward healthier environments and climates. Barerra has been participating in the year-long program, which will end in May 2023.
“Gloria continues to be a strong advocate for school-aged children in her community-based work. As part of the program, Gloria partnered with the Pilsen Neighbors Community, creating and hosting an expert panel in Spanish on the impact of climate pollution in Chicago on Latine children with asthma (https://bit.ly/3T7Vmju ). Further, she participated in a Facebook live event discussing the importance of clean car standards to reduce air pollution and its effects on school-aged children, “ said Katie Huffling, Executive Director of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments.
Gloria E. Barrera, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN is a certified school nurse and adjunct nursing professor. During her time at South, Barrera has provided exceptional nursing care to more than 3,000 students and staff members and has dedicated her career to public health. Barrera actively collaborates with community stakeholders to promote health and well-being and ensures access to healthcare services.
"Public health nurses are committed to promoting human health and well-being, especially in our most vulnerable populations, and seek to foster healthy and safe communities. Our environment is a powerful social determinant of health. As an ANHE Fellow, I have gained the tools needed to be a change agent, advocate for healthy communities and build health equity into policy at the grassroots level. I will continue to promote environmental health protections through advocacy work." said Barrera.
Barrera will attend the Environmental Health Nurse Fellowship Convening in May in Farmington, Minnesota. The convening will include peer learning and educational sessions in which participants will learn about environmental health topics impacting communities.
For more information about the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, visit their website.