Provided by Prince William County Schools (PWCS)
Supervisor of Student Health Services Teresa Polk credits the nursing experience and leadership skills she gained in the military for preparing her to manage student health initiatives in a large school division and, in particular, her key role in navigating PWCS through the current COVID-19 pandemic.
While serving as a nurse at a North Carolina hospital, Polk was inspired to join the military by one of her uncles, who served in the U.S. Air Force. A talk with her best friend, who had joined the U.S. Army, provided more inspiration. After hearing about life as an active-duty soldier, Polk signed up and received a commission. She attended basic officer training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, home to the Army’s Medical Department. Her first station assignment was as a staff nurse on a medical surgery unit at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Coincidentally, her best friend was also stationed there.
Polk’s father also served in the military. His service in Korea inspired Polk to request to be sent to Yongsan, Korea, where she served at the 121 Evacuation Hospital. During her career, Polk was also stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., the Brooke Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the pediatric surgery unit in Fort Meade, Maryland, and as the chief nurse of the medical clinic at Fort Ritchie, Maryland.
Polk was hired to serve as the supervisor of the PWCS Office of Student Health Services when the office was created in 2001.Through Polk’s leadership, and the support of Superintendent Dr. Steve Walts, health services for students have expanded exponentially in PWCS with a school nurse now serving every building in the Division.
In celebration of Veterans Day, we salute Teresa Polk and the many other PWCS school nurses who are military veterans.
