Her Story
About Kellene
Kellene Bamford, RN, BSN, M.Ed., is a retired healthcare operations leader and registered nurse with more than 38 years of experience advancing school health services, clinical program development, and healthcare administration. She began her nursing career in Pediatric Intensive Care in 1983 before transitioning to school nursing in 1988, where she dedicated nearly four decades to improving student health and safety. Most recently, she served as Health Services Coordinator for USD #385 Andover Public Schools, leading district-wide health services while overseeing workforce development, regulatory compliance, policy implementation, and clinical operations. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Education from Wichita State University.
Throughout her career, Bamford was recognized for building and strengthening healthcare systems that support consistent, high-quality care across educational settings. She expanded the district's health services infrastructure from serving just a few schools to supporting 14 schools, while developing standardized clinical policies, enhancing electronic health record operations, and implementing workforce training initiatives. She also established one of the area's first comprehensive AED programs, expanded CPR training for staff, strengthened emergency response protocols, and championed initiatives focused on mental health, seizure management, and student safety. Her collaborative leadership emphasized listening to frontline staff and partnering with educators, healthcare providers, administrators, and community organizations to improve healthcare delivery.
Beyond her operational leadership, Bamford has contributed to the profession as an adjunct faculty member and an active participant in school nursing organizations, the ADAM Project, CPR initiatives, and Simply Basics. Her leadership philosophy centers on continuous improvement, teamwork, and building practical systems that empower people to do their best work. Recognized as a featured leader in the 2026 Influential Women edition, she continues to seek opportunities where her extensive experience in healthcare operations, process improvement, regulatory compliance, and leadership development can help organizations strengthen services, improve outcomes, and create lasting organizational success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kellene
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strength of the teams I've had the privilege to work with and the unwavering support of district leadership throughout my career. I believe the people closest to the work often have the best insights into what needs improvement, so I have always prioritized listening, collaborating, and learning from others. By embracing opportunities, planning proactively, and working together toward shared goals, I have been able to build sustainable systems that improve healthcare delivery and support both staff and students.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to say yes to opportunities and approach each challenge one step at a time. Breaking large projects into manageable pieces, conducting thorough research, and remaining open to learning have allowed me to successfully lead initiatives and adapt to new responsibilities throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering healthcare to remain open to change, listen carefully to those around them, and trust the value of teamwork. Every opportunity offers a chance to learn and grow, so don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Take on new challenges with confidence, break complex tasks into achievable steps, and remember that meaningful progress comes from collaboration, preparation, and a willingness to keep learning.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges in school health today is balancing the evolving demands of healthcare with the educational mission of schools while ensuring consistent, high-quality care across every campus. Public health needs continue to change rapidly, requiring organizations to adapt policies, strengthen emergency preparedness, and respond effectively to issues such as mental health, suicide prevention, and chronic health conditions. These challenges also present opportunities to standardize best practices, improve collaboration, and build stronger systems that better serve students, families, and staff.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my professional and personal life are listening, teamwork, proactive planning, safety, equity, and openness to change. I believe that lasting improvements come from respecting the perspectives of others, preparing thoughtfully for future needs, and creating systems that provide consistent, equitable support for everyone. These principles have shaped my leadership approach and continue to influence how I work with and serve others.
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