“Calm, Generous Confidence”

It takes a special person to become a nurse. We all know that. But it takes an extra level of care and compassion to be a nurse for 350+ high school students, most of whom are away from home, when they are injured or ill and in need of medical care. Brewster’s Health Center team are those special people, and Nurse Gail Dietzer has been a core member for more than 15 years! In the spring, she announced she would be retiring from her full time role and enjoying some well-deserved time off.

Head of School Kristy Kerin made the announcement during May’s Moving Up Day Ceremony, when she recognized employees celebrating milestone work anniversaries as well as retirees. “Gail was instrumental during the pandemic working tirelessly to support the school and provide care to our students,” Ms. Kerin began. “She helped arrange vaccine clinics here on campus for students and adults, managing countless details. For years, Ms. Dietzer spent summers helping provide healthcare for summer programs. Prior to joining Brewster, Ms. Dietzer was an intake nurse for the VA. Thankfully, she will not be leaving us completely as she will continue to see to the health of our students as a per diem nurse.”

“I have had the pleasure of working with Gail at Brewster for 11 years,” fellow nurse Amanda Belanger shared. “Gail was very welcoming, supportive, and encouraging when I first started working here, she made me feel like part of the Brewster community immediately. She is a true professional, reliable, natural leader, kind-hearted, patient, caring, has a calming presence and has this way of connecting with students and parents, even when she is firm at times.” Ms. Belanger continued that her mentor and friend (and frequent singer of songs in the office!) looks at things from both sides, giving her great problem-solving skills that allowed her to go above and beyond for our students. “As a nurse, I have learned so much from Gail. She taught me to trust my instincts, take time to listen, look at the bigger picture, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.” Sound familiar? Our students are taught these same skills in their classrooms, nudging them toward the confidence and understanding that carry them into their adult lives. 
 
Ms. Dietzer is an Immunization Nurse, which is a critical role in non-pandemic times at any school, but even more so as we all built our protections against COVID in recent years. “Gail kept up with all the state’s vaccine requirements and made sure our students and summer program students have the vaccines they need to attend school,” Ms. Belanger explained, adding that her colleague also sorted out international students’ vaccination needs and organized our school’s flu clinics for many years. “She loves supporting the Brewster community, can be seen at games, meetings, and events, and has even hosted Thai Scholars in her home—she’s still in touch with them to this day!”  
 
Former Head of School Craig Gemmell told us, “I was able to see Gail's deep and broad talents during COVID. She cared for kids amazingly well and thus practiced her tradecraft unflinchingly during an immensely challenging time for the school and the broader world; she also cared for the school quietly and effectively, utilizing contacts at the local and state level to procure vaccines and in so doing made us all more healthy. Gail—in her calm, generous confidence—did all she did so well during COVID and for many years prior without fanfare or a desire for attention—a true professional.” 
 
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Thank you, Nurse Dietzer, for all the care you’ve given us, especially in our most troubled and painful moments. Countless Brewster families are grateful their children had you to care for them, and we are all better for your example of compassion. 

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