Melissa’s Mission: Leading with Heart in Home Health and Hospice
Melissa joined Providence in July 2022 and quickly became recognized for her compassion, reliability, and strong relationships with patients and their families. Her nursing journey began in the hospital, where she gained experience in orthopedic/neurology, medical-surgical, and leadership roles. However, the pandemic revealed her true calling: home healthcare.
“I just wanted to really know my patients,” Melissa said. “In home health, you build that trust over time. You're in their homes. You meet their pets, you see their photos, you learn their stories. It’s personal. They see you as someone who knows and cares.”
One of Melissa’s patients with Providence illustrated the depth of those connections. She cared for him monthly for years until a decline in his health required hospice care. The family initially wasn’t sure they could stay with Providence. When they learned they could, they insisted on it. Melissa advocated to make it happen. And though hospice meant handing off the case, she continued to visit as a friend.
“That family meant so much to me,” she said. “Knowing our hospice team was there made all the difference. Continuity of care is everything. It's not just about doing the job—it's about walking the journey with them.”
Melissa’s commitment to Providence’s mission, to serve people in the name of Jesus Christ, is evident in every interaction. Whether she’s calling a patient the night before a visit or stepping in to help at a farm where one of her family members lives, she embodies the belief that nursing is more than a task; it’s a calling.
She balances it all with gym time, grandkids, a German shepherd, and an unwavering sense of purpose.
“I love this job,” she said simply. “This is where I’m meant to be.”
Today, Melissa is one of just a few full-time home health nurses at Providence. She sees fewer patients than she did in the hospital, but her impact is greater than ever because of the time she can spend with them. Patients look forward to her visits. They know her voice. They trust her judgment. And they feel safe in her care.
What keeps her grounded on hard days? Faith, family, and perspective.
“I remind myself it’s just one day. Tomorrow is a new one,” she said. “And then I go to the gym, get a pedicure, read a book, or hang out with my kids and grandkids. That’s how I recharge.”
Melissa brings her whole self to her work—her clinical skill, her empathy, her humor, and her faith. And every patient she visits is better for it.
