District Staffer Receives Nursing Award

DeSoto ISD Director of Health Services Receives Excellence in Nursing Award
Posted on 03/24/2023
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DeSoto Independent School District Director of Health Services Dr. Lastassia Williams was recently awarded the D Magazine Excellence in Nursing honor---one of 96 professionals across the metroplex chosen for the recognition across countless industries and entities.


Always described as a nurturer by nature, Williams dreamed of becoming a medical doctor as a child. 


“I wasn’t sure what field (of medicine),” said Williams. “But I knew I wanted to be (a doctor).” 


Williams said that as she got older, her aspirations shifted, and she decided to pursue a nursing career.


“It wasn’t because nursing was easier,” said Williams. “Nursing is one of the hardest professions around. It was because it put me closer to the patient, and now, working as a school nurse gives me the opportunity to educate.”


Williams noted that school nursing is often not acknowledged in the healthcare field but emphasized that becoming an organizational healthcare leader for the district during the pandemic was not an easy task.


“Being a healthcare leader in DeSoto ISD during the pandemic was an approach of flexibility,” said Williams. “There were many daily changes with the pandemic, so I had to shift quickly and effectively communicate.”


During Williams’ first week in the leadership role, she told district nurses that her main goal was to ensure they all made it through mentally intact. 


“It was a team approach in getting everything done,” said Williams. “Without the team of nurses that I had the privilege of leading, nothing would have been possible as it relates to providing a resolution for the district in response to this global health issue.” 


Each day, Williams approaches her work in DeSoto ISD with the same sense of urgency focused on serving both staff and students alike.


“This recognition means the students in DeSoto ISD have the best of the best working to ensure they can come to school and learn in a healthy environment and that they have someone working hard to bridge the gap between healthcare and the educational system,” said Williams. “This shows that the work I do is not going unnoticed.”