Have you ever met someone for the first time and thought “She is someone special”? That is exactly what I thought when I first interviewed Melissa Richardson. Melissa was a new graduate nurse moving to Columbia, SC and was so excited about getting her first job at Palmetto Health. I have watched her grow not only in her professional life but personal life as well. She has become an extraordinary nurse, wife, and mother during her 3 years at Palmetto Health.

As Mr. and Mrs. T explained, Melissa displays excellence always! She quickly assumed the role of charge nurse on the unit. Melissa is well respected by her fellow peers and can be found assisting the patient care techs helping to give baths or helping with tasks around the unit. She loves sitting by the bed and talking with her patients and just getting to know them and their family. She is always staying busy. Her patients rave about the care that she gives to them.

I think if you hear the rest of story it will only explain why she has become an even more compassionate and giving nurse on the unit……….it all started August 31at 3:30 in the afternoon….as Melissa will quickly tell you. …..

Melissa’s husband and love of her life was diagnosed with Leukemia. The news was very shocking to their family but Melissa stood strong. From the moment she told me of what was facing them she had that determined drive that he was going to beat this. Team T was formed and our wonderful staff rallied together to raise over $1200 in hotdog and hamburger sales to help support Melissa and her husband as they were heading to Charleston for a stem cell transplant. On 1-11, he received his stem cell transplant. Melissa and her family had to stay in Charleston for a month to make sure there were no complications from the transplant. Melissa’s parents had to go with them to help watch their son as he could not be around his Dad after the transplant. Melissa had to not only be the loving and supportive wife but she also had to be her husband’s nurse. There were many nights of being up every hour to give medicines or check temperatures or just to hold a hand when he wasn’t feeling well. She NEVER left his side. I am happy to tell you that today, he is doing GREAT! His transplant was a success and he continues to get stronger and stronger each day.

I tell you Melissa’s story because she is certainly a nurse that lives our vision…..she treats all of her patient’s as if it were her family. As Mr. T told you she “was poised under pressure” to get things done for him just like she did for her own family. Any of Melissa’s patients would echo these same words to you. She is truly a beautiful woman that loves nursing, and knows that she was called to this profession for a reason. I am so proud to have her as a part of our Marion Suite team and see a very bright future ahead for Melissa as she only continues to grow in this wonderful profession of nursing!