The Journal of School Nursing2025, Vol. 41(4) 415© The Author(s) 2025Article reuse guidelines:sagepub.com/journals-permissionsDOI: 10.1177/10598405251342642journals.sagepub.com/home/jsn
Transitions are inherent to the human experience—moments of change, reorientation, and new beginnings. With this issue of The Journal of School Nursing (JOSN), we are experiencing an important transition. As I step into the role of Editor, I am extremely honored and proud to be part of a profession that understands transitions not simply as endings, but as opportunities for reflection, renewal, and growth.
I want to recognize the remarkable leadership of Dr. Martha Dewey Bergren and the far-reaching impact she has had—not only on advancing school nursing research, but on the profession of school nursing as a whole. Dr. Bergren began her school nursing career in 1982 and was the first nurse ever hired for a preschool early childhood program for children aged 0 to 6 years old at risk for developmental delays. At that time, those programs did not understand the importance of having a nurse, yet administrators could not understand the medical records or health histories of the children enrolled in the program. She was able to identify physiological or congenital root causes of some of the children’s failure to grow, whose families would otherwise been labeled as neglectful, and developed strategies in partnership with families to ensure these children had the support necessary to succeed. Dr. Bergren demonstrated the value of nursing in pre-school programs through that federally funded pilot program and today, Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) are an essential component of early childhood programs. Over the years and throughout her career, Dr. Bergren has held numerous significant clinical and leadership roles across the practice, research, policy, and academic spheres.
As Director of Research for the National Association of School Nurses, Dr. Bergren was instrumental in elevating the visibility and status of school nursing research in ways that meaningfully informed practice. I still remember being introduced to her by my mentor, Dr. Julia Cowell, in the mid-1990s. To be in community with such a trailblazer was both frightening and enormously exhilarating. Within minutes, her dedication to advancing school nursing through coaching and mentoring was clear, and I have benefitted greatly—professionally and personally—from her mentorship and leadership. A passionate champion of school nursing research, Dr. Bergren has positively influenced the careers of countless researchers and scholars.
Since 2020, she has served as the tireless and inspiring editor of JOSN. Her editorials remain widely read and cited, a testament to her ability to connect deeply with readers and speak to the heart of our shared mission. I pledge to carry forward her legacy of advancing school nursing through the support and dissemination of research and scholarly inquiry.
Transitions invite us to reflect not only on what has changed but also how we want to move forward. With Dr. Bergren’s strong example of leadership, I look forward to working with colleagues to explore how we can collectively steward JOSN toward new possibilities. I am especially eager to hear from you—our authors, readers, reviewers, and school nursing leaders—about what you would like to see from us. I am encouraged by the work happening across the country—and around the world—and excited to see what our future trajectory will look like.
With deep appreciation for your work and the opportunity to be your editor,
Mayumi A. Willgerodt, PhD, MPH/MS, RN, FAAN, FNASNEditorThe Journal of School Nursing
Mayumi A. Willgerodt https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9874-3739
