By Denae Brewer
Editor in Chief

A few things catch your attention when you enter her corner office - the mountain of paper on her desk, the dollhouse-like smallness of the rooms and the bright warm smile that greets you. For most, it's just the ordinary school nurse's office. For Linda Levi, it's her second home.

"I've grown up here," she chuckled. Ms. Levi has been a nurse practitioner at CES 73 for the past 20 years. "When I came I didn't have all these gray hairs."

Exaggerating just a bit - the gray hairs are sparse at best-Ms. Levi always knew she wanted to be a nurse. "I always liked taking care of people, especially little kids." "She has a way with children," Eve Mitchell said. Ms. Mitchell's son attended CES 73 in the late 80's. "She really seems to care about the children's health."

Ms. Levi's concern is genuine. A mother of one, she is a strong believer in soothing a child's fears. She is known best for her compassion and honesty. "I always tell the child that the needle will hurt a bit. There's no need to sugarcoat it." After distributing the pain, Ms. Levi follows it up with tenderness - giving a sticker, toy or her trademark - cookies.

"I buy the goodies and I always tell my family 'you can't eat those they're for the kids at 73.'" Ms. Levi said. "My daughter often jokes that I love those kids more than her."

Under the umbrella of the Bronx Health Consortium, CES 73's school based clinic is open to all students. Currently, 90 percent of the children are enrolled in the program.

"Parents feel comfortable in knowing that their child has easy access to medical resources." Citing the abnormally high asthma rate in the Bronx, Ms. Levi pointed out that the number of times she had to call 911 last year was close to zero. "Unlike most school nurse's offices, we are fully equipped to handle any emergency," she said.

On a given day, 20 to 40 students come into the nurse's office. Though sometimes daunting, Ms. Levi does not do it alone. Aladina Borrero assists her with many tasks. From triage to billing, Ms. Borrero is an important part of the team. "She's so much more than my assistant," Ms. Levi confides. "She's my right hand. I'd be lost without her."

That is the same way most parents feel about Ms. Levi. "She's so amazing," said Sonia Cruz. "It's good to know my child has someone to go to when I'm not there."

Although grateful for the praise, Ms. Levi remains humble. "I'm just doing my job. It just happens to be one that I love."

More than just a school nurse - at times she is a social worker, a confidant and even a surrogate mother - Ms. Levi takes her job seriously. "We're like a family. We just don't give out medical care," she said. "I am a role model to some and I make sure they know the importance of getting an education."

Because of its clinic status, Ms. Levi has formed a strong bond with all of her patients. Children often remain in her care well beyond graduation. "I just had to tell two 17-year-olds that I could no longer treat them." She explained. "I had to refer them to a teen clinic. They were so heartbroken."

It is time like these when Ms. Levi sees the full scope of her influence. "I always wanted a large family," she said. "I may have given birth to one, but I am a mother of one thousand."