TAUNTON - Superintendent John J. Cabral reports that Nurse Manager Karen Regan, MSN RN, will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year following an eight-year career with Taunton Public Schools and 42 years in nursing.
Regan joined Taunton Public Schools as Nurse Manager in 2015, overseeing the district's 23 nurses and six substitutes.
“Karen Regan is to be commended for her tireless work ethic and commitment to the students, staff, and caregivers throughout Taunton,” Superintendent Cabral said. “I will forever be grateful for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic as she was instrumental in helping our school system and community navigate that challenging time.”
Her leadership and expertise were vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regan put together a five-member COVID-19 team to manage the district’s response to the pandemic and to communicate information and updates to the community. The team, which included a nurse and Welcome Center employees, worked tirelessly for six months to distribute information. She continues to provide school staff, administrators and the greater school community with the latest guidelines and information from the state.
Regan also liaised with the City Board of Health to set up and run COVID-19 vaccination clinics, including a community clinic at Taunton High School.
In addition to her essential COVID-19 work, Regan played a vital role in strengthening the district’s relationship with Manet Community Health, including the opening of the school-based health center on campus, Manet at TPS, this winter.
Regan now works closely with Manet at TPS and other local providers to facilitate immunizations and physical exams for new arrivals to the country before they enroll in school. She has also been a guest speaker at a National Association of School Nurses conference, highlighting the needs and available resources for homeless students.
“Her steady leadership, can-do attitude and ability to rise to the challenge have changed Taunton Public Schools for the better and will have a lasting impact. She leaves incredibly large shoes to fill,” Cabral said.
Before joining Taunton Public Schools, Regan worked as Nurse Manager for New Bedford Public Schools for 21 years. In 2003, she was responsible for starting the AED (automated external defibrillator) program in the district, one of the first programs in the state. Regan has also published on this topic and presented this information at a National Association of School Nurses conference.
Regan earned a Nursing Diploma from Newport Hospital School of Nursing,a Bachelor of Nursing from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, and her Master of Nursing Science from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
She began her nursing career working in a hospital intensive care unit and later managed a pediatric outpatient department before moving into education.
Regan has worked as a summer camp nurse and has donated her time to administer flu vaccinations at multiple clinics.
Regan plans to spend her retirement spending more time with family and volunteering.