A Toast to Her Health Care

Margaret Williamson doesn’t deal with eye charts or skinned knees anymore. She retired as a school nurse in 1982. But at 78, she’s still involved with health and education.

Her clients are a bit older these days. A volunteer counselor for HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program), Williamson explains the ins and outs of Medicare, HMOs and long-term care insurance to Medicare beneficiaries and their families, most of whom are older than 55.

She’s been doing it for 15 years, making twice monthly visits to senior centers in Santa Ana and Tustin, and attending frequent training sessions to keep up with changing legislation.

HICAP honored Williamson and 65 other volunteers for their work at a recent brunch. Williamson’s 15-year service was a landmark, said her daughter, Anne Gray, a HICAP staff member.

The program, aimed at providing unbiased medical insurance information, is funded through the California Department of Aging and administered by the Council on Aging.

Williamson, of Santa Ana, served as school nurse coordinator for the county education department and was head school nurse in the Placentia Unified School District before retiring.

“A friend of hers who was a nurse told her this program was something she should get into and she did. And she stayed,” Gray said.

Williamson is getting health care experience of her own--she’s recovering from surgery for herniated discs in her neck but plans to be back on the job in about a month.

To be considered for this column, please send information on the Orange County person being honored along with a photograph to Lynn O’Dell, The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. (714) 283-5685.