Melissa O'Rourke
February 2026
Melissa
O'Rourke
,
MSN, APNP, FNP-BC, ACHPN
Palliative Care
SSM Health Clinics - WI Region
Baraboo
,
WI
United States
I solely believe that her compassion and selflessness gave my dad all the hope during his fight.
A little over 2 years ago, my dad was diagnosed with a cancer that was to be cured. He did all the suggested things and was deemed cancer-free for what was supposed to be forever. A few short months it came back, and this time the fight was not fair. Throughout my dad's journey, he met with a large handful of providers. Most were difficult to meet, connect with, and be seen as an individual. One provider that was holding my dad together on this journey was Melissa O'Rourke. She saw my dad as a person, not just a body with cancer.
Being in palliative care, Melissa was well-versed in all things unimaginable, and she presented it with such care and ensured my dad left each appointment feeling heard and educated on the situation. I solely believe that her compassion and selflessness gave my dad all the hope during his fight. Being passed around to providers made it difficult to be seen as someone who had a fair shot. Melissa would spend the extra time to reel my dad's team in to
make sure his concerns were met, and to let them know he was a fighter. Melissa helped my dad, and our family find light in the dark. Some of my dad's biggest worries were the medical bills he'd leave my mom, along with the physical changes he'd endure on his journey. Melissa took time to carefully explain the possibilities of my dad's health and ensured her role. This brought comfort to us. Melissa also went out of her way to locate resources to possibly help my dad's financial concerns, something that most medical staff are not versed in and wouldn't spend time supporting a patient on.
In March, my dad's health took a rapid turn, which caused us to quickly say our goodbyes. We stayed in the hospital for 5 days while my dad took his final breath. Each day, Melissa called the staff to ensure she was updated. She personally called my mom to offer support during and after my dad's death. Although the outcome of my dad's journey was not what we had hoped, Melissa was there to shed light where it was needed the most.
My dad voiced his concerns several times to his providers, as he felt like a body with cancer, not a person. He never once felt this with Melissa. She treated him with dignity, respect, optimism, care, and support for him and his family. Looking back at the past 6 months, nothing but her care is something that brings a smile to our faces as we remember him.
Being in palliative care, Melissa was well-versed in all things unimaginable, and she presented it with such care and ensured my dad left each appointment feeling heard and educated on the situation. I solely believe that her compassion and selflessness gave my dad all the hope during his fight. Being passed around to providers made it difficult to be seen as someone who had a fair shot. Melissa would spend the extra time to reel my dad's team in to
make sure his concerns were met, and to let them know he was a fighter. Melissa helped my dad, and our family find light in the dark. Some of my dad's biggest worries were the medical bills he'd leave my mom, along with the physical changes he'd endure on his journey. Melissa took time to carefully explain the possibilities of my dad's health and ensured her role. This brought comfort to us. Melissa also went out of her way to locate resources to possibly help my dad's financial concerns, something that most medical staff are not versed in and wouldn't spend time supporting a patient on.
In March, my dad's health took a rapid turn, which caused us to quickly say our goodbyes. We stayed in the hospital for 5 days while my dad took his final breath. Each day, Melissa called the staff to ensure she was updated. She personally called my mom to offer support during and after my dad's death. Although the outcome of my dad's journey was not what we had hoped, Melissa was there to shed light where it was needed the most.
My dad voiced his concerns several times to his providers, as he felt like a body with cancer, not a person. He never once felt this with Melissa. She treated him with dignity, respect, optimism, care, and support for him and his family. Looking back at the past 6 months, nothing but her care is something that brings a smile to our faces as we remember him.