Melanie
Foltz
August 2025
Melanie
Foltz
Baylor University
Dallas
,
TX
United States
Melanie exemplifies the spirit of compassionate, innovative, and resilient nursing leadership that this Award seeks to honor. Inspired by the mentorship of exceptional nurses throughout her career, Melanie pursued her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Nurse Leadership at Baylor University. Her journey is a testament to the profound impact nurse leaders can have on patient care, organizational growth, and the broader healthcare community.
Among her many accomplishments, Melanie played a pivotal role in developing an obstetric service line—including a labor and delivery unit and postpartum care—within a pediatric hospital. Her leadership was also instrumental in the creation of a maternal transport team and a fetal surgery program, initiatives that required both clinical expertise and strategic collaboration across disciplines.
She further contributed to a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at expanding maternal and infant services, including overseeing construction projects to support this growth. Melanie’s commitment to patient and family-centered care shines through in her work to improve satisfaction within her fetal health clinic. Through focused leadership and team engagement, she helped raise patient satisfaction scores from the low 70th percentile to a sustained 100% over six months—a remarkable reflection of her dedication to excellence and empathy.
Beyond her professional achievements, Melanie is a steadfast mentor and advocate for her team. She fosters a culture of empowerment and continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and compassionate care. Her leadership is both inspiring and inclusive, ensuring that every voice is heard and every patient is valued.
Throughout her DNP journey, Melanie persevered through personal challenges, including undergoing two surgeries while supporting her son through his own nursing school graduation. Her resilience and determination serve as a living example of the perseverance she models for others.
Melanie Foltz truly embodies the essence of a DAISY Honoree, transforming patient care today while shaping the future of nursing leadership.
Among her many accomplishments, Melanie played a pivotal role in developing an obstetric service line—including a labor and delivery unit and postpartum care—within a pediatric hospital. Her leadership was also instrumental in the creation of a maternal transport team and a fetal surgery program, initiatives that required both clinical expertise and strategic collaboration across disciplines.
She further contributed to a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at expanding maternal and infant services, including overseeing construction projects to support this growth. Melanie’s commitment to patient and family-centered care shines through in her work to improve satisfaction within her fetal health clinic. Through focused leadership and team engagement, she helped raise patient satisfaction scores from the low 70th percentile to a sustained 100% over six months—a remarkable reflection of her dedication to excellence and empathy.
Beyond her professional achievements, Melanie is a steadfast mentor and advocate for her team. She fosters a culture of empowerment and continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and compassionate care. Her leadership is both inspiring and inclusive, ensuring that every voice is heard and every patient is valued.
Throughout her DNP journey, Melanie persevered through personal challenges, including undergoing two surgeries while supporting her son through his own nursing school graduation. Her resilience and determination serve as a living example of the perseverance she models for others.
Melanie Foltz truly embodies the essence of a DAISY Honoree, transforming patient care today while shaping the future of nursing leadership.