In early January, Townsend Harris High School welcomed Violetta Kurayeva as the new school nurse. The appointment of Ms. Kurayeva comes after the retirement of the previous nurse, Linda Carter, who had served THHS for 15 years.

THHS had several temporary nurses after Ms. Carter left last summer. According to Assistant Principal Ellen Fee, “[Ms. Kurayeva] interviewed with us in January and we agreed she was good for the students at our school.” 

Ms. Kurayeva completed her studies to become a board certified registered nurse at Touro College and Liu Brooklyn, holding two bachelor’s degrees in health sciences and nursing. Upon finishing nursing school, Ms. Kurayeva was hired as a float nurse, a nurse who works in all departments. Later on, she worked with children in a hospital before becoming a school nurse. 

Growing up in Forest Hills, Ms. Kurayeva was always familiar with the atmosphere of THHS. She recalls it being a “popular school,” so when she saw the opening for a nurse at THHS, she took the opportunity and applied.

She describes her first day at Townsend Harris as very welcoming because of the kind  hospitality shown from both students and staff. “I got cheers and applause, I felt very welcomed from the first day,” she said. 

Previously, Ms. Kurayeva was a nurse at a middle school in South Ozone Park, Queens. She notes that THHS has a different population of students, “I feel there’s more order over here and it’s not really a revolving door in the medical room. [Students] come in here when they really need a nurse to take a look at them, not to cut class or just to hang out,” she said. 

Students who visited Ms. Kurayeva’s office shared reviews on her treatment in the nurse’s office. 

Sophomore Sehajpreet Gill said her experience with Ms. Kurayeva was “very positive,” noting the numerous solutions she offered, and the kind conversation she made with her, leaving Sehajpreet very satisfied with her visit. She said, “We had a great conversation about ourselves and experiences at THHS, which really touched me and was unexpected, especially at the nurse’s office.”

Sophomore Zahra Imam also praised Ms. Kurayeva, saying “she was very detailed with her work.” 

“She has fit into our community seamlessly and it seems like she’s been here for years already,” said Ms. Fee.