On Monday, February 29th, Larri Kay Mahoney joined the Columbus East High School’s staff as the school nurse.

Mahoney, who has also has worked in sub-acute rehab and home healthcare with pediatrics, stated, “I’ve always wanted to be a school nurse. I got my way in and worked part time and finally the full time position came open.”

While being a school nurse offers better hours and schedules than a hospital nurse, Mahoney said that the main reason for becoming a school nurse was having “the opportunity to be an influence in teens’ lives.”

“I love kids, I really do, and teens have always been my favorite.”

With a usual day consisting of helping young people with chronic illnesses, sore throats, headaches, cuts, and the occasional broken bone, Mahoney will have plenty of chances to make a difference.

“I want to affect people. I’m not here to just hold down a job. I’m here to make friends. There’s lots of young people here with disease processes and I want to help them with that,” said Mahoney. “I’m most looking forward to changing kids’ lives by being able to help children that are affected and need my help.”