Biography
Michelle Malicote is the School Health Section Supervisor at the Kentucky Department for Public Health in the Maternal and Child Health Division. After receiving her ADN in 1978 and her BSN in 2008 from Eastern Kentucky University, she was named the 2017 Outstanding Alumni of the College of Health Sciences Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing.
Early in her career, Michelle worked for 14 years at Madison Pediatrics in Richmond, Ky., before beginning her work in public health. In 1992 she started to work at the Madison County Health Department, where she became a school nurse and then School Health Program Director. Her team consisted of RNs as well as the first Public Health Dental Hygienist placing dental sealants in the school setting. In 2013 she became employed by the Madison County School District and was the School Health Clinic Supervisor until she retired in 12.2019.
Over the past 46 years, Michelle served her community in multiple public health roles, informing policies and procedures related to school health and public health community prevention, health promotion, and preparedness activities inside and beyond the school setting. In the past 33 years, Michelle has mentored many nurses across Kentucky related to school nursing practice, policies, and procedures. She has been a frequent member of many committees or coalitions championing school health practices, regulations, or statutes utilized in Kentucky schools. She has tirelessly devoted her talents to promoting best practices.
In May 2020, Michelle left retirement to take a position at the Kentucky Department for Public Health to help lead the Kentucky COVID-19 school health response. She has drafted many documents and guidance that were integrated into the Kentucky guidelines and recommendations. January 2022, Michelle became the School Health Branch Manager in the Division of Maternal and Child Health. Working in collaboration with the Kentucky Department of Education she provides standardized protocols and guidelines for health procedures to be performed by health professionals and school personnel while also providing technical assistance, education, and policy guidance to school health service providers including school district nurses and community health coalitions. Michelle works tirelessly with other KDPH partners to represent school health in efforts across the agency.