Shadlie Kensrue, MSN, RN, RCSN, PHN, serves as the Director of Health Services for the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD), where she provides strategic leadership for school-based health services supporting approximately 38,000 students across 43 schools. Overseeing a dedicated department of 27 Registered Credentialed School Nurses and 43 Health Assistants, Shadlie leverages nearly 20 years of nursing experience—including a background in critical care and trauma—to bridge the gap between clinical excellence and districtwide systems leadership.

Throughout her tenure, Shadlie has spearheaded initiatives focused on health policy development, care coordination, and sustainable health systems. A notable leader in emergency preparedness, she directed the adoption of IUSD’s inaugural naloxone policy, making it the first district in Orange County to stock the life-saving medication at all school sites. Her commitment to collaborative safety is further evidenced by her role as co-chair of the School and Hospital Alliance for Response in Emergencies (SHARE), which fosters vital partnerships between school districts, hospitals, EMS, and public health agencies.

Dedicated to elevating the profession, Shadlie serves on the Board of the California School Nurse Organization (Southern Section) and the Orange County School Nurse Organization. In these capacities, she advocates for legislative change and professional development to strengthen school nursing practice statewide. Shadlie remains committed to advancing school nursing as a critical intersection of health, education, and equity, ensuring that health-related barriers never hinder a student’s ability to learn and thrive