About Head-to-Toe
The Head-to-Toe Series was developed by Tacoma Public Schools to bring specialty health care education to school nurses. Through our partnership with Tacoma Public Schools and regional pediatric health specialists, the Bessler Center is bringing this series statewide.
Head-to-Toe is designed to strengthen school nurses’ ability to serve students with complex health needs. By effectively managing low to moderate health needs, nurses can support students’ ability to attend school and actively participate in their education, enabling them to thrive throughout their lives.
If you are a school nurse in Washington state, we invite you to register for the live Head-to-Toe webinars or access the recordings asynchronously. All sessions are eligible for Clock Hours through the School Nurse Organization of Washington (SNOW) for a $3 fee. To attain Clock Hours, you must watch the installment, complete a brief online evaluation, and pay the $3 fee.
2025-2026 Schedule
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Presenter: Hunter Barrett, ARNP
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 15, 8-9 am
Presentation References and Links
Head injuries:
Behavioral/mental health:
Mandatory Reporting Laws:
About the presenter
Hunter Barrett holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Pacific Lutheran University, where he focused on hospital leadership, education, and quality assurance. He is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and completed his graduate externship in Quality Improvement at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire.
Currently serving as the Assistant Nurse Manager in the Emergency Department at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, Hunter is responsible for the direct management of frontline staff and coordination of operations in a 34-bed pediatric ED. He plays a key role in leading quality improvement initiatives and supporting a culture of excellence in patient care. Hunter has developed and delivered targeted education, provided care in diverse clinical settings, and built a strong foundation in interdisciplinary collaboration.
Hunter served in the U.S. Army as a squad leader, where he led and mentored teams in high-pressure environments and managed equipment valued at over two million dollars. In 2017, he was honored as a March of Dimes Nurse of the Year in the Rising Star category.
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Presenter: Kids Mental Health WA, Gina Cabbidu and Vanessa Adams
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 19, 8-9 am
About the presenters
Gina Cabiddu, MSW, is a program coordinator with Kids Mental Health Pierce County. In her role, Gina provides technical assistance and training to expand the Kids Mental Health Washington Youth Regional Behavioral Health Navigation across the state. Her previous experience includes working in public child welfare in Kitsap and Thurston Counties, non-profit regional leadership in Pierce County, and board and coalition work spanning housing, business, behavioral health, violence prevention, and county policy. Gina enjoys going to concerts in different states and backpacking in the Pacific Northwest.
Vanessa Adams, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, is Program Coordinator for Kid’s Mental Health Pierce County. Vanessa’s current role includes the coordination and support of this community collaborative dedicated to developing a coordinated, responsive behavioral health system. In her previous role as Complex Behavioral Health Social Worker serving youth detained under involuntary treatment act, youth with multisystemic involvement and youth with challenging dispositions Vanessa supported navigating connection to appropriate support and services. Vanessa also worked for several years as crisis social worker at Mary Bridge Emergency Department. Vanessa’s passion is supporting youth in their mental wellness. Outside of work, Vanessa enjoys life adventures with three school age youth, watching them experience the world and become their own independent and incredible humans.
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Presenter: Carri Holton, MSN, ARNP, WHNP and Dr. Angie Hamouie
Date & Time: Wednesday, December 17, 8-9 am
About the presenters
Angie Hamouie, MD, MPH, fellowship trained pediatric and adolescent gynecologist dedicated to advancing women’s health through compassionate, evidence-based care. She completed her medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch and holds a Master of Public Health. Dr. Hamouie currently practices at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, WA. She attends outreach clinics in Olympia and Puyallup. Her clinical interests include menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, and ovarian cysts or masses. She sees patients from newborn to age 21.
Carri Holton, MSN, ARNP, WHNP-BC, is a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric and adolescent gynecology. She completed her BSN at the University of Pennsylvania and her MSN at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She has over 20 years experience in nursing as a labor and delivery RN, nurse educator and as a WHNP. At Mary Bridge Pediatric and Gynecology,, she provides comprehensive gynecological care and reproductive health education for adolescent patients. Her areas of expertise include contraception, with a focus on IUD and Nexplanon placements, as well as managing menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, PCOS, amenorrhea, pelvic pain, menstrual suppression for patients with special needs, and vulvar disorders.
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Presenter: Emily Lyro, RN
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 21, 8-9 am
Asynchronous Recording Clock Hours Information
About the presenter
Emily Lyro is an RN working at Mary Bridge Children’s Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic. She has been working in Diabetes for the last 15 years. Her free time is mostly spent with her grandchildren.
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Presenter: Sarah Malyon, RRT and Karen LaRoche, RRT
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 18, 8-9 am
Asynchronous Recording Clock Hours Information
About the presenter
Karen LaRoche’, BS-HCM, RRT-ACCS is a Registered Respiratory Therapist with over 30 years of experience in respiratory care, spanning bedside practice, clinical education, and leadership roles. She currently serves as a Respiratory Clinical Specialist for MultiCare Health System, where she supports the educational and clinical development needs of multidisciplinary teams across hospital campuses and off-site emergency departments.
Throughout her career, Karen has been recognized for her expertise in advanced respiratory care and her passion for clinician education. In addition to her specialist role, she contributes to system-wide competency development, assists teams during new equipment rollouts, and collaborates with nursing and respiratory therapy leaders to enhance clinical readiness and patient-care quality.
Karen is also active in professional advocacy and serves as a House of Delegates Representative to the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) through the Respiratory Care Society of Washington. Her background includes work in critical care, emergency respiratory support, and clinical program development.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management (BS-HCM) and the Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) credential, reflecting her commitment to advanced practice and lifelong learning.
Resources
- Goldin J, Hashmi MF, Cataletto ME. Asthma. [Updated 2024 May 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK430901/
- Sinyor B, Concepcion Perez L. Pathophysiology Of Asthma. [Updated 2023 Jun 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK551579/
- Washington State Department of Health (n.d.) Washington Tracking Network: Asthma hospitalizations https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/wtn/WTNPortal/#!q0=887
- Global Initiative for Asthma (2024) Summary Guide for Asthma Management and Prevention https://ginasthma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GINA-Summary-Guide-2024-WEB-WMS.pdf
- American Lung Association (2022) How to Use a Peak Flow Meter https://www.lung.org/getmedia/321d18a5-19cd-4404-a783-9b8a78efacde/peak-flow-meter-one-pager.pdf?ext=.pdf
- NIH (October, 2021) How to Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler Fact Sheet https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/how-use-metered-dose-inhaler-fact-sheet
- AMES (Revised, 2013) Taking Asthma Care to School: Asthma Management in Educational Settings https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/asthma/asthma-and-schools
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Presenters: Amelia Sterenberg OTR/L and Karla Pezzarossi, DPT
Date & Time: Wednesday, March 18, 8-9am
Asynchronous Recording Clock Hours Information
About the presenters
Karla Pezzarossi, PT, DPT, CPST has nearly 25 years of expertise supporting children with neuromuscular and complex mobility needs. Specializing in adaptive equipment, custom seating and positioning, and 24‑hour postural care, Karla is dedicated to helping children maintain healthy alignment across every part of the day—seated, standing, and lying—while reducing the risk of deformity, improving comfort, safety, and promoting long‑term functional development. With deep experience working with children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, and other neuromuscular disorders, Karla collaborates closely with families, other team members, and DME vendors to design individualized seating systems and adaptive equipment solutions. From complex rehab seating to sleep‑positioning supports, Karla ensures every recommendation is tailored to the child’s unique clinical, developmental, and functional needs.
Amelia Sterenberg OTR/L, holds a doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Northern Arizona University where she focused on creating sustainable community based programs, researching nature based therapeutic interventions, and earned a certification in Translational Research Education in Adolescent Substance Use. She currently works at Children’s Village in their Early Supports for Infants and Toddlers program for Yakima County, working with children with disabilities ages birth- three in their homes. Additionally, she provides feeding therapy and creates feeding plans for babies admitted to the NICU. Outside of work, Amelia recharges by spending time in nature through running, climbing, biking, and camping.
Resources
- Rifton. (n.d.). Rifton | Adaptive equipment & assistive technology supplier. https://www.rifton.com/
- EasyStand. (n.d.). EasyStand – standing made easy. https://easystand.com/
- Special Tomato. (n.d.). Special Tomato – pediatric adapted equipment. https://www.specialtomato.com/
- Etac. (n.d.). Etac – US: A world‑leading developer of assistive devices. https://www.etac.com/en-us/us/
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Presenter: Gyan Shrestha, MD – Pediatric Neurology
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 15, 8-9am
About the presenter
Dr. Gyan Shrestha is a clinical neurophysiologist with expertise in epilepsy and EEG. They have advanced training in the evaluation and management of seizure disorders and work closely with patients across different age groups in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Through their clinical experience in diagnosing and managing complex seizure cases, Dr. Gyan Shrestha has developed a strong interest in educating frontline healthcare providers on practical approaches to seizure recognition and care. Dr. Gyan Shrestha is actively involved in clinical teaching and regularly provides educational sessions for nurses and allied healthcare staff to support improved patient care and safety in neurologic practice.
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Presenter: Peter Asante, MD, FAAP
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 20, 8-9am
About the Presenter
Peter Asante, MD FAAP is a board-certified General Pediatric Physician at Mary Bridge Auburn Pediatrics, and former Hospitalist and Chair of Pediatrics at MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Asante holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Harvard University. After graduation, he worked as a Medicaid social worker in Bronx, New York. He completed his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and his pediatric residency training at the UW/Seattle Children’s Hospital. For his passion for working with adolescent youth, he was awarded the James Owens Sr., MD Award for Excellence in Adolescent Health and Medicine, presented by the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Prior to his relocation in Fall 2023 to Mary Bridge Pediatrics Auburn, Dr. Asante spent 7 years at Yakima Pediatrics, where he also served as Medical Director of the Teen Health Clinic, and through his efforts, was instrumental in the implementation of the Davis Health Clinic at Davis High School, the first school-based health clinic in Yakima WA. He continues to advocate for expanding access to comprehensive healthcare for underserved youth in his work as a former Trustee and currently co-chair of the Equitable Care Committee with the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is currently serving as President for the Washington School-Based Health Alliance.
For his efforts and commitment to providing equitable healthcare to children and adolescents, Dr. Asante has received recognition within his community, including Champion of Youth Award from the Yakima Schools Foundation in 2019 and Best Pediatrician in 2021; institutionally in his current role as the first Faculty Director for the UWSOM Black Health Justice Pathway; statewide as a 2024 WCAAP Chapter Award recipient for leading exceptional education and professional development for pediatric providers across Washington state in WCAAP’s pursuit of antiracism and health equity; and nationally as a recipient of the 2022 Local Hero Award from the AAP Council on Community Pediatrics and 2023 Richard B. Heyman Award from the AAP Section on Adolescent Health.
Dr. Asante approaches his clinical practice from the backgrounds of community health and implementation science. He is passionate about his work as a child health advocate, particularly as it pertains to expanding access to comprehensive healthcare for under-resourced youth and adolescents. He is committed to creating clinical spaces where providers can form impactful relationships with families that improve health and well-being, both inside and outside of the doctor’s office, thus making the world a better place for children.
Partners
