Melodie demonstrates extraordinary compassion and care for every patient she cares for. Most recently, there was a young patient in the ICU for severe alcohol withdrawal. The patient was a Special Forces soldier and had fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He suffered from crippling PTSD, which led to his self-medication with alcohol. The patient had fallen through the cracks within the V.A. system and no longer had a PCP or mental health care. Melodie was determined to fix that. She reached out to a colleague she had previously worked with who was now a CRNP with the V.A. This practitioner had also served his country and was familiar with assisting those with PTSD. Melodie got this patient referred to this practitioner and got him an appointment following his inpatient discharge. This went way above and beyond her duties as an ICU nurse, and she was able to make a monumental difference in this young person's life.

Melodie pours her heart and soul into every patient she cares for. She was in the Marine Corps prior to her nursing career, and she couldn't stand to see this young person suffer anymore. Throughout the remainder of his stay, Mel took care of him every day she was here. She needed to see him succeed. The dedication and quality of care this nurse provides should be the bar every nurse strives for.