“Novi’s Lynne Paul- Bedside manner that is Making History”

‘Education is to teach men not to know, but to do”
-Florence Nighingale

by Bernie Fratto
July 2005
 

Florence Nightingale was best known in history for her impact in the field of nursing. She also made a great impact on the field of education through her influence on policy and her campaign to promote educational ventures.

Novi’s Lynne Paul is best known for her ability to listen to citizens & administration, find what’s near and dear to their hearts, and then to help, plan, and implement action steps. But Lynne Paul also made great impact as Nurse, helping patients one at a time.

Perhaps Florence Nightingale and Lynne Paul are inextricably linked. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Paul attended Gannon University where she earned a BS Degree in Nursing.

Her graduate work took her to Indiana University and she received her Masters Degree in Nursing/Oncology.

In between however, she worked at the famed Memorial Sloan/Kettering Institute for a year. And after college graduation, she devoted her time as a research nurse for ‘Cancer and Leukemia Group B’, a national organization of oncologists. Their mission was to provide research and treatment to patients while they maintained residence in their own home.

In 1996, Lynne Paul moved to Novi, Michigan with her family and it has become home. Initially a ‘stay at home’ mom, she loved her new home and believed the property behind it was preserved and protected woodlands. When she later found out this might not be the case as further construction began, she swung into action.

Her diligent research and pouring through the minutes of a council meeting that had taken place years before; she became an advocate and stood up for the rights of her community. In the end, everybody was a winner. Additional properties were developed, while the rights of the citizens were protected.

That got her active with the Planning Commission for Westmont Village as she encouraged citizens to ‘be aware and become active so as to maintain and preserve nature.”

She formally joined the Planning Commission in 1999 and was instrumental in organizing ‘River Day’ for the City, and in addition helped to organize the Ethnic Festival, an event that celebrated holidays around the world.

During her 2-year tenure with the Commission, “I learned about ordinances, developers, ideas and their rights, citizens and their rights, and the efforts to maintain the balance between citizens rights and ideas.”

She ran for City Council in 2001, and was successful. She is quite emphatic as she characterizes her role. She is a ‘citizen advocate’ and she spends a lot of time simply talking with people, trading correspondence and emails with people, and she offers a sensitive ear as it pertains to any City issue.

Her mission is to help citizens with any and all concerns, so that individually and collectively, people can maximize the quality of life they enjoy as citizens of Novi, Michigan. She listens…she implements.

Recently she was very involved with the idea that would bring to life a statue commemorating the service Novi Fire Chief Lenaghan. In addition, her efforts to involve youth in city government and city council netted 62 applications, for only 17 positions!

She has also been an advocate for promoting health awareness and improving healthy lifestyles, and has worked in conjunction with Providence Hospital.

To do what she does…It takes a certain skill set, one that involves patience, discipline and empathy for fellow citizens. It takes a certain bedside manner to be as successful as Lynne Paul. It is clear that her nursing background and education are at play as she continues her quest.

“I will always listen to the citizens and the administration, to find what’s needed,” Paul reminded.

“Maybe I’ll help, and maybe I can’t but I’ll sure try!”

Her efforts provide an example, a template for all to take action, to advocate what’s most important and near and dear to their hearts.

Florence Nightingale also believed that the best practitioners make the best teachers. She felt it is through their experiences that people learn and improve upon what they are doing. This is also why she advocated that education should be a lifelong journey. She felt that achieving a goal, such as a registered nurse, and stopping there would only limit a person and their future abilities.

Sound familiar? Perhaps Lynne Paul and Florence Nightingale really are inextricably linked.

“Children should be taught practical and useful skills. Lessons should be hands-on and taught out of experience, instead of textbooks. Evaluation should not be based on what the child knows, but instead on what the child does.”

The preceding quote may have been originally stated by Florence Nightingale, but it’s manifested itself on a daily basis, thanks to the Civic Duty and advocacy fostered by Novi’s own….Lynne Paul.