HCPSSStaff Focus: Debra Berry, Nurse, Mt. Hebron High School
November 2nd, 2025
Not many people can say confidently at the age of five what career they are destined for, but that was the case for Debra Berry, Nurse at Mt. Hebron High School (MHHS).
“From as young as I can remember, my Dad, a physician, has been my hero,” said Berry. “I knew right away that I wanted to be like my Dad, saving lives, improving health and making a positive difference in patient’s lives. At the age of five, I had my own health room with my own dolls that I was treating.”
Before graduating from River Hill High School in their first graduating class, Berry spent her junior and senior year in the operating room at Howard County General Hospital—now known as Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center—shadowing her mentor, spinal surgeon Dr. Lawrence Shin. In college, Berry decided to pursue a career in nursing, allowing her to combine her love of medicine with her ultimate dream of becoming a Mom and supporting a family.
Berry earned her bachelor’s in Nursing from Northeastern University in 2006, which led to experiences ranging from working in the burn intensive care unit in Boston, to the emergency room at Howard County General Hospital before stumbling upon a new passion while working in the St. Agnes Hospital’s emergency room.
“They were transitioning from paper records to electronic medical records which was a big shift,” said Berry. “From that experience, I realized I liked data and spreadsheets which led me to pursuing my master’s degree in Health Informatics.” Berry graduated from Northeastern University in 2014 with her Master’s of Science in Health Informatics and launched her career at Johns Hopkins Hospital working in nursing analytics. Berry found her niche liaising between the bedside and information technology.
Once she became a mom—she is now a proud mom of two girls—she returned to nursing and her journey eventually led her to working as the school nurse at Ilchester Elementary School (IES).
“I was trained to do catheterizations, tube feedings, seizure responses and diabetic management. It wasn’t boogers and bandaids. It was medicine,” said Berry. “And instead of having a team, like when you’re in the ER where you have someone to look to and a doctor to give you orders, you are that authority in the school. You are that knowledge. You are that support. And you have to be confident in your abilities and skills because everyone looks to you in the emergencies and even in the urgencies, including the staff who look to you for their everyday medical needs.”
After three years at IES, she became the nurse at MHHS where she now supports 1,440 students and 173 staff which she describes as an “honor.” She is prioritizing getting to know the students and immersing herself in the school culture.
“Debra is student focused in all aspects of her job and she is going above and beyond her role as a nurse to help students feel comfortable and welcome in the health room,” said MHHS principal Katie Clark. “Debra has been a wonderful addition to our Mt. Hebron staff this year, approaching all situations with students with care and concern.”
This is evidenced by the feedback from students she interacts with. Annaka Taylor, a MHHS 10th grader, stops by the health room at least once a day for her medical needs. “I look forward to seeing her every day,” said Taylor. “When I first met her, I was experiencing a large panic attack and she was very kind and supportive, encouraging me to slow my breathing. She always lets me have a safe place to stay if I’m having a panic attack, which is very comforting.”
Berry has been working alongside her teammate and health assistant, Stacy Williams, to transform the health room. She is working with a group of students from the MHHS National Art Society to paint a mural in the health room and hopes to continue to find ways to feature other students’ artwork with the intent of making the space feel brighter, happier and welcoming to all.
Berry explained, “I don’t want it to feel clinical. I want it to feel comfortable and safe and whatever brought you here—whether it was your social-emotional needs or your medical needs—that you are okay to be here and that you’re going to leave better.”
In addition to her daily responsibilities, she is flexing her Health Informatics muscle as the lead nurse for Synergy training within the Office of Health Services.
“She is responsible for conducting all Synergy training sessions for newly hired school nurses and health assistants,” said Susan McHale, Health Services Supervisor. “As the primary point of contact for Synergy-related questions, concerns and suggestions, Debra provides ongoing support to Health Services staff. She also works closely with the Synergy team to ensure effective implementation and continuous system improvements that best support the needs of the Office of Health Services.”
And, in Berry’s spare time, she also recently joined the Executive Board for the Maryland Association of School Health Nurses. “I aspire to be somebody that makes a difference, not just for the students but for the school nurses. I want our school nurses to be seen, heard, acknowledged and recognized as the invaluable support needed for student health and well-being, which ultimately leads to academic success.”
To Berry, this job is something she takes great pride in. And one that she takes seriously every day because she knows what’s at stake. “I’ve received more than one card from a student thanking me for saving their life. And that’s what it’s all about,” said Berry. “These are someone else’s children and it’s my job to safeguard their health, safety and well-being. As the school nurse you don’t get to have good days and bad days. Every day needs to be a success; everyday I must succeed. My students and their families rely on me.”