Melissa is a leader in the TSICU, as both a person and a nurse. Her experience and calm demeanor make her an excellent clinician on every shift she works. While she often functions as a resource (or charge nurse) she also is a bedside nurse at heart and takes direct care of patients during some of her shifts.

Recently, her exemplary care really shone through on a critically ill patient who was unstable. Melissa was able to effectively recognize trends in the patient's labs and advocate quickly for the blood products, fluids, and medication the patient needed with the medical team, even before the team had seen the patient. Throughout the day her attention to detail, constant interventions, and reevaluating the effectiveness of those interventions helped the patient slowly improve. In addition to maintaining more than fourteen IV pumps, a dialysis machine, and blood transfusions Melissa kept the patient as a person at focus. She made sure mouth care was done and that she had a warm blanket. She explained everything to a very distraught and overwhelmed family. As an observer that day one could tell they were comforted by Melissa's care, despite all the medical equipment and critical status of the patient.​ ​