From the MC Nurse
Hello! My name is Leslye Ryan and I am the nurse at the middle campus. This is my fourth year at ANCS. I am an Atlanta native and attended school in Gwinnett County. After graduating high school, I attended Georgia State University where I received a degree in psychology before attending Mercer University for nursing school. I began working at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in 2012 and worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings for 10 years. While working at Aflac I had the opportunity to travel to Port au Prince, Haiti on several occasions to provide medical care at primary care clinics. It was through these experiences that I discovered the importance of, and my love for, community health.
When I told my parents I was making a career change, my mother, a 30-year elementary educator, was shocked. Pediatric oncology had been my calling and how could I possibly change my mind? Plus, how could I forget, she always referred to my middle school years as the “black hole” because of how much I disliked that time. But, I made the leap and am so fortunate to be a part of this school community. You never know what each day will bring and I am given the opportunity to help students enjoy this (sometimes challenging) time in their educational journey and support their physical and mental health. I have laughed alongside, cried with and cheered on so many students over the years and I wouldn’t change a thing.
In my role, I connect with students in many ways. I am always available to see them when they are injured or ill in the clinic. I conduct immunization audits each year as well as grade level scoliosis and vision screenings. I help Mrs. Lee, our school counselor, teach classroom guidance lessons on suicide prevention. I facilitate small groups with students focusing on topics such as anxiety, depression and body image. I help teach sex education to the 7th and 8th graders each spring. I am also a 7th grade co-advisor and spend my mornings with an awesome group of 13 students – Go Rios/Ryan Advisory!
In my life outside of school, I am the mom to a baseball loving kiddo, Ezra, who is a 4th grader at ANCS. We have a pup named Zeke and a cat named Margo. My husband and I spend a lot of time at the ball fields, but we also enjoy hiking, riding bikes and enjoying all that our wonderful Grant Park neighborhood has to offer.
I am always available to answer any questions you may have. The easiest way to reach me is through email at lryan@atlncs.org.