Her Story
About Ophelia
Ophelia Stack serves as the school nurse at Wheeling High School in Wheeling, Illinois. She entered healthcare in 2016 after being inspired by her role helping her non-English-speaking parents navigate medical appointments as a child. Stack earned an associates degree from Harper Community College and completed her nursing degree at Chamberlain University while working as a CNA. She began her nursing career in the emergency room during the pandemic before transitioning to her current school nurse role approximately five years ago. In addition to providing care to students, Stack mentors future healthcare professionals through the school's certified nursing assistant program and brings medical and dental clinics to the school, including the Ronald McDonald health clinic, a dental mobile clinic with Endeavor Health, and Universal Dental Clinics. She also collaborates with the Community Resource Center from Endeavor Health to support families in need. Stack is the Foundation Vice President of the Illinois Association of School Nurses and a member of the National Association of School Nurses. Her contributions have been recognized with a state award from the Illinois State Board of Education and the American Nurses Association 40 under 40 emerging leaders award. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and asking questions to achieve success in her field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ophelia
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Keep learning and ask those questions. When I started as a school nurse, I had to train myself and figure out requirements, which required reading on my own during off hours. Nothing is ever easy, but if you put your best foot forward and continue to learn and ask questions, you can be successful.
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