Nancy Rini (Class of 2025)

Nancy R. Rini, PhD, RN, is a nursing advocate for children. Rini has over 39 years of experience in clinical nursing and school health services for grade levels pre-K through 12 in both public and parochial settings in Columbus, Ohio. She has provided nursing services for children with intellectual disabilities, comprehensive services for teen pregnancy, abuse intervention, drug and alcohol counseling, health education teaching, grant writing and curriculum development. Throughout her career, Rini has touched the lives of students whether through direct nursing care, counseling or teaching.

As Health, Family and Community Services Supervisor with Columbus City Schools (CCS), Rini directly supervised all staff and aspects of CCS health programs including 114 registered nurses, four social workers, a school physician’s office and related support staff. She established health programs and services for students, families and staff that met identified needs. She mentored many students and school nurses, helping them to achieve their career goals and remain committed to school nursing.

Rini developed a health education curriculum for CCS grades K through 12 that encompassed all aspects of student bio-psycho-social health needs. Through her grant writing initiatives, Rini procured funding for programs that provided eyeglasses and dental care for students, established an on-site, school-based health clinic and provided resources for school nurses. While leading CCS health programs, she also served on the Access Health Columbus Community Committee.

A member and leader of many professional organizations and civic groups, Rini demonstrated a commitment to educating others on the role of the school nurse and advocated for their continued and expanded roles in the educational system. She has career-long service in the Ohio Association of School Nurses and was the representative to the Ohio Nurses Association Committee that lobbied state legislature to pass the Ohio Nurse Practice Act in 1989. In addition, Rini has conducted workshops on school-based clinics and established task forces on topics such as dental health, teen pregnancy and mental health issues.