Karen Hecker

Karen Hecker, BSN, RN, NCSN, is a dedicated nurse consultant in the School Health Department at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan School of Nursing in 1987 and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with an expected completion date in December 2018. Karen became a Nationally Certified School Nurse in 2013 and has spent over 11 years focused on school health after two decades in large children's hospitals.Her MPH work emphasizes addressing pediatric health disparities and understanding the impact of social determinants on health access and education for youth. In her role, Karen provides consultation services to four childcare centers in Aurora, Colorado, and is actively involved in professional development for school nurses throughout the state. She serves as a Regional Nurse Specialist for the Denver Metro Area through the Colorado Department of Education's Health and Wellness Unit.Karen is also a member of the Colorado Alliance for School Health, where she works to enhance collaboration between healthcare and education sectors. She participates in teams under the Healthy Schools Successful Students initiative and is involved with the legislative committee of the Colorado Association of School Nurses, advocating for student health and safety across various domains.