Melissa F.
Hessenthaler
September 2024
Melissa F.
Hessenthaler
,
RN
Piedmont Athens Regional
Athens
,
GA
United States
This past year has been filled with inspiration, encouragement, strength, and a lot of laughter. I have seen you, Melissa, support new nurses through some of the most difficult times with grace and dignity. She has a special talent that brings teams together with fun and laughter but, most of all, support.
Melissa is a truly special person and Nurse Educator. She has invested in my personal success and the success of so many new graduates, new hires, and students. She goes above and beyond for the pulm/NRU team and even steps in on busy days to help out. She does a great job running the med-surg nurse residency program, making sure each participant feels included and learns what they need to know to be successful. She inspires me and others every day with her wisdom, kindness, and resilience. I am so glad she is the first face so many new hires and students meet when they first arrive because she truly embodies the best of what Piedmont has to offer!
***
Melissa embodies the spirit of teamwork. She not only coordinates our new grads’ onboarding and our LPN scholars and serves as NRU’s unit-based educator, but she also supports all eight units in the Med-Surg service line. She does all of this with an organized grace and humility that I strive to model. As I sit in on 2- week meetings, I am in awe of how reassuring and supportive she is to our newest nurses, both LPNs and RNs. She is definitely in the role she was meant to be!
On a side note, she is officially/unofficially the “Nicest Person at PAR”! This award was designated when a colleague and I were in a meeting and someone jokingly said they were the 3rd nicest person. We looked at each other (yes, we were distracted during a meeting!) and asked who the nicest person was. When my colleague suggested Melissa….I was all in! So, Congrats on yet another title, Melissa! This one comes with no additional responsibilities except to continue to be the person you are each and every day!
***
Melissa serves as the Nurse Residency Coordinator for Med/Surg and the Unit-Based Educator for the Nurse Residency Unit. Her role is complex and demanding, and her myriad responsibilities are not captured in her job title. Melissa takes on the many challenges that come her way with grace, dedication, and the understanding that her investment in nurses will reap benefits for years to come. The magnitude of her impact is difficult to quantify. Melissa came into this role on the heels of the pandemic when our teams were suffering from burnout, staffing was becoming more challenging every day and we were no longer getting applications from experienced nurses. These factors only served to intensify the importance of the Nurse Residency Program. Melissa has been instrumental in transforming the program to meet the demand. She has created a pathway for our LPN residents and, along with two others, is leading the Athens Tech LPN P2P or Pathway to Partnership program. Our team is incredibly lucky to have someone of her caliber in this role.
Melissa lives our purpose and our promise, which is to make a positive difference in every life we touch, and she exemplifies our values. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm for the residents are only matched by the tangible support she provides each and every resident to ensure a successful transition to practice. The bi-weekly meetings (so many meetings!), roundtables, skills days, LPN scholar days, nursing school site visits and UBE responsibilities keep her very busy and she manages it all brilliantly.
***
Melissa is the Florence Nightingale of our time. Her compassion, kindness, and attention to detail shine through in everything she does. Melissa is always up for a great challenge.
Here is 1 example out of many. Due to critical staffing, Med Surg started to focus on hiring LPNs. As LPNs were hired, we quickly identified a steep learning curve for LPNs to practice at the top of their scope in the acute care setting. We brainstormed and decided to partner with Athens Tech to support acute care clinicals at PAR. In return, we would hire LPNs clinically prepared for acute care. In doing this, we needed to provide an in-house clinical instructor.
Melissa is acting as the primary clinical instructor for the LPN group. Her responsibilities include orientation, pre and post conferences, grading assignments, rounding on all P2Ps during their shifts and supporting the preceptors. Melissa worked with multiple managers and ancillary departments to create a well-rounded clinical experience. She also opens up the skills day to all of the LPNs at Athens Tech. All of this on top of her regular unit-based educator duties.
One of her priorities, is onboarding all of Med Surg’s new grad RNs and LPNs. This averages 30-40 a year. She does a fantastic job of balancing feedback, guidance and recognition. This is the perfect mix to assist a new grad’s success in acute care. It is not easy!
This past year has been filled with inspiration, encouragement, strength, and a lot of laughter. I have seen you, Melissa, support new nurses through some of the most difficult times with grace and dignity. She has a special talent that brings teams together with fun and laughter but, most of all, support. She is always available to a nurse resident, manager, and me. I love to brainstorm with her as we develop new ways to support nurses at the beginning of their careers. We’ve even created new products like siplocks and tooth cups.
Melissa is a huge support on the unit as well. She is thorough with new education that rolls out to the frontline staff. At any time, she is willing help with hand on education. She is creative with education boards on the units that are themed and exciting to look at. She also recognizes preceptors on the unit and highlights them on bulletin boards.
She has embraced this role, it’s like the role was made for her. It truly is a perfect match.
It is an honor to work with her every day. She is so deserving of this honor!
***
If you can even believe it, just a little over 5 years ago we met as new grad nurses here at Piedmont on the Oncology unit. It was very clear to me quickly after meeting you that you had all of the skills and knowledge to be a wonderful nurse, but you also had what it took to be much, much more. The compassion, dedication, and care you provided to every single patient you came in contact with was unmatched. You approached every situation you were put into with more grace and patience than any other nurse I’ve ever met. You have the ability to brighten the darkest of days and bring an uplifting presence with you everywhere you go. You have such a way with words and are able to teach anyone anything. I always admired the way that you explained and educated your patients as well as your co-workers. When I got the news that you were taking this new position, I was sad to see you leave Oncology but was also happy knowing that you were the absolute perfect candidate for this role. You were made for this. Your willingness to help others is beyond compare and you go out of your way doing so. Our new grads, Med-Surg leaders, Med-Surg educators, and anyone else who has the opportunity to learn from you are extremely fortunate. I have learned so much from you while working side by side with you on the floor on Oncology as well as side by side as leaders, and for that, I am forever thankful. Thank you for coming up with the best phrase around – TEAM ONCO FOREVER. Thank you for helping us develop the BEST new grads around! Thank you for all that you do for all of those around you. Thank you for being you.
***
Melissa embodies the spirit of teamwork. She not only coordinates our new grads’ onboarding and our LPN scholars and serves as NRU’s unit-based educator, but she also supports all eight units in the Med-Surg service line. She does all of this with an organized grace and humility that I strive to model. As I sit in on 2- week meetings, I am in awe of how reassuring and supportive she is to our newest nurses, both LPNs and RNs. She is definitely in the role she was meant to be!
On a side note, she is officially/unofficially the “Nicest Person at PAR”! This award was designated when a colleague and I were in a meeting and someone jokingly said they were the 3rd nicest person. We looked at each other (yes, we were distracted during a meeting!) and asked who the nicest person was. When my colleague suggested Melissa….I was all in! So, Congrats on yet another title, Melissa! This one comes with no additional responsibilities except to continue to be the person you are each and every day!
***
Melissa serves as the Nurse Residency Coordinator for Med/Surg and the Unit-Based Educator for the Nurse Residency Unit. Her role is complex and demanding, and her myriad responsibilities are not captured in her job title. Melissa takes on the many challenges that come her way with grace, dedication, and the understanding that her investment in nurses will reap benefits for years to come. The magnitude of her impact is difficult to quantify. Melissa came into this role on the heels of the pandemic when our teams were suffering from burnout, staffing was becoming more challenging every day and we were no longer getting applications from experienced nurses. These factors only served to intensify the importance of the Nurse Residency Program. Melissa has been instrumental in transforming the program to meet the demand. She has created a pathway for our LPN residents and, along with two others, is leading the Athens Tech LPN P2P or Pathway to Partnership program. Our team is incredibly lucky to have someone of her caliber in this role.
Melissa lives our purpose and our promise, which is to make a positive difference in every life we touch, and she exemplifies our values. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm for the residents are only matched by the tangible support she provides each and every resident to ensure a successful transition to practice. The bi-weekly meetings (so many meetings!), roundtables, skills days, LPN scholar days, nursing school site visits and UBE responsibilities keep her very busy and she manages it all brilliantly.
***
Melissa is the Florence Nightingale of our time. Her compassion, kindness, and attention to detail shine through in everything she does. Melissa is always up for a great challenge.
Here is 1 example out of many. Due to critical staffing, Med Surg started to focus on hiring LPNs. As LPNs were hired, we quickly identified a steep learning curve for LPNs to practice at the top of their scope in the acute care setting. We brainstormed and decided to partner with Athens Tech to support acute care clinicals at PAR. In return, we would hire LPNs clinically prepared for acute care. In doing this, we needed to provide an in-house clinical instructor.
Melissa is acting as the primary clinical instructor for the LPN group. Her responsibilities include orientation, pre and post conferences, grading assignments, rounding on all P2Ps during their shifts and supporting the preceptors. Melissa worked with multiple managers and ancillary departments to create a well-rounded clinical experience. She also opens up the skills day to all of the LPNs at Athens Tech. All of this on top of her regular unit-based educator duties.
One of her priorities, is onboarding all of Med Surg’s new grad RNs and LPNs. This averages 30-40 a year. She does a fantastic job of balancing feedback, guidance and recognition. This is the perfect mix to assist a new grad’s success in acute care. It is not easy!
This past year has been filled with inspiration, encouragement, strength, and a lot of laughter. I have seen you, Melissa, support new nurses through some of the most difficult times with grace and dignity. She has a special talent that brings teams together with fun and laughter but, most of all, support. She is always available to a nurse resident, manager, and me. I love to brainstorm with her as we develop new ways to support nurses at the beginning of their careers. We’ve even created new products like siplocks and tooth cups.
Melissa is a huge support on the unit as well. She is thorough with new education that rolls out to the frontline staff. At any time, she is willing help with hand on education. She is creative with education boards on the units that are themed and exciting to look at. She also recognizes preceptors on the unit and highlights them on bulletin boards.
She has embraced this role, it’s like the role was made for her. It truly is a perfect match.
It is an honor to work with her every day. She is so deserving of this honor!
***
If you can even believe it, just a little over 5 years ago we met as new grad nurses here at Piedmont on the Oncology unit. It was very clear to me quickly after meeting you that you had all of the skills and knowledge to be a wonderful nurse, but you also had what it took to be much, much more. The compassion, dedication, and care you provided to every single patient you came in contact with was unmatched. You approached every situation you were put into with more grace and patience than any other nurse I’ve ever met. You have the ability to brighten the darkest of days and bring an uplifting presence with you everywhere you go. You have such a way with words and are able to teach anyone anything. I always admired the way that you explained and educated your patients as well as your co-workers. When I got the news that you were taking this new position, I was sad to see you leave Oncology but was also happy knowing that you were the absolute perfect candidate for this role. You were made for this. Your willingness to help others is beyond compare and you go out of your way doing so. Our new grads, Med-Surg leaders, Med-Surg educators, and anyone else who has the opportunity to learn from you are extremely fortunate. I have learned so much from you while working side by side with you on the floor on Oncology as well as side by side as leaders, and for that, I am forever thankful. Thank you for coming up with the best phrase around – TEAM ONCO FOREVER. Thank you for helping us develop the BEST new grads around! Thank you for all that you do for all of those around you. Thank you for being you.