I began my journey at UPMC Mercy in February of 2018 in a brand-new position on the 6A Detox unit as a Detox Coordinator. I was lucky enough to be assigned to Melissa Dellaria as my preceptor on the unit. During my orientation days in February and March, Melissa was always kind, patient, and encouraging me to do my best and learn as we go. As a nurse at a new facility, you need to remember to relearn old skills and learn new skills. Melissa made this easy for me with her teaching methods and kind words of encouragement. In short, she is the staple of what a Mercy nurse is meant to be.
After orientation, Melissa continued to be an inspiration to me. I have seen her discuss real-life issues with patients when they are at their lowest. She has gone above and beyond the nursing call of duty to help a patient feel a little more comfortable during their hospitalization. She has sat with grown men while they cried about losing their families due to their poor life choices. She has been on her hands and knees washing the blackened feet of a homeless man waiting for podiatry to come to the unit to shave the calluses that have built on them for years, while they wandered the streets. I have also seen Melissa give our patients such dignity and respect when they are medically compromised, and hallucinations took over their minds during the worst phase of their withdrawal.
What I have seen Melissa do on our unit, they do not teach you in nursing school or even in orientation at UPMC. People like her are genuinely good people and great inspiring nurses. I believe Melissa Dellaria is an exceptional nurse who is compassionate, caring, and goes above and beyond for all her patients daily. Thank you, Melissa, for all that you do!