Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

General Surgery Unit Charge Nurse Melissa Receives Nurse Excellence Award

General Surgery Unit Charge Nurse Melissa Receives Nurse Excellence Award

General Surgery Unit Charge Nurse Melissa has been honored with the North Oaks Health System Nurse Excellence Award for July 2021.

In 2019, Melissa joined the General Surgery Unit team at North Oaks Medical Center as a Staff Registered Nurse. Recognized as a natural leader and gifted communicator, Melissa took on the roles of preceptor for new hires and Relief Charge Nurse. One year later, she became a full-time Charge Nurse. Later, that same year, her peers elected her to chair General Surgery’s Unit Based Council, and in 2021, she also began serving on the Nursing Shared Governance Practice Council.

“I treat every patient like a VIP,” shares Melissa.

Melissa earned associate degrees in Licensed Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing from Pearl River Community College and is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in Nursing at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

“I have known that I wanted to be a nurse since I was 8 years old,” explains Melissa. “My passion is helping others and bringing joy into their lives. I love my career and my work family. I could not be the Charge Nurse I am today without them.”

Ponchatoula is home for Melissa, her husband Calumn, her sons Aiden, 11, and Jude, 9, as well as her stepchildren Alec, 18, and Averie, 14.

Away from work, you can find Melissa outdoors and making memories with her family.

“Patients praise Melissa’s kindness, calming presence and compassion, and her coworkers value her positive attitude, courtesy and helpfulness," asserts Clinical Nurse Manager Brent Graham. "She loves our patients and leads our team by example.”