Melissa Richardson
December 2021
Melissa S
Richardson
,
MSN, RN VHA-CM
Primary Care
Lexington VA Health Care Setting
Lexington
,
KY
United States
A true measure of a person can be seen in the number of friends that would be willing to stand behind you, beside you and appreciate you and your contributions in this world. Melissa Richardson has many of those friends, and because of their respect and admiration, they took the time to contribute to this nomination by expressing the numerous ways she has touched their lives as a leader and peers.
Melissa Richardson is a steady force that leads with gentleness and understanding. She is mission-driven, and through that drive has quickly become the subject matter expert for the first-ever VISN Clinical Call Center. She has worked on holidays, vacations, and weekends to ensure that CCC is supported and built from the foundation up with the Veterans and employees as the key drivers for its success. She has become instrumental in the transitioning of the WHEN team to remote workers and subsequently as the new VISN direct report staff. She has willingly signed on to remain their supervisor through the transition to ensure that the WHEN team is supported through each step of the process.
Melissa has held many positions here in the Lexington VA and in every position, she has been a leader dedicated to the betterment of the Veterans we serve and the staff that provide their care. The following are examples of how Melissa has assisted, inspired, mentored, and lead many people throughout her time here at LVAHCC.
"I cannot say enough about the leadership of Melissa Richardson. Melissa has been a mentor to me while I have been detailed as an acting nurse manager. The very first time I had an opportunity to detail as an acting nurse manager, Melissa led and guided me. For every question that I had, she was right there with wonderful advice and guidance. She would always say 'well what would you do?' This helped me more than anything. It allowed to me say what I would do and allowed me to listen to her feedback and guidance. Melissa has shared her wealth of knowledge in leadership with me and helped me become a better leader."
"Melissa stepped up to the challenge of assuming the acting Chief role for as long as needed. She frequently reached out to the managers to make sure our service/program needs were met and made sure she was always available when needed. She provided steady leadership during this transition and her efforts were greatly appreciated. Although of course, I am familiar with the VISN Call Center, I am not familiar with the ins and outs of how the program operates. I do know, however, that it is HUGE and her work on the team has been extensive! She has a handle on the program and her level of knowledge/understanding I’m sure was invaluable. It’s a great program with great outcomes!"
"As a coworker of Melissa’s for many years. I have often wondered how she keeps going. How does she keep up with everyone’s schedule and concerns, and still manage to keep everything flowing so smoothly and still smile? Melissa is a powerful, smart, caring woman. Nevertheless, just a nurse, led by the Almighty God, a woman full of faith, compassion, prayerful wisdom, and God-given strength, fulfilling her calling to a career in nursing. She is the nurse that never stops loving us, she helps us when we are down, gives us an extra push to keep us going, and is quick to settle the problems when they arise. She is the nurse that has never given up through the storms of many years at the Lexington VA."
"Melissa Richardson is a true asset to the Lexington VA HCS. She spends countless hours working to improve the quality of care our Veterans receive through her selfless dedication. In her role as the Nurse Manager, Primary Care Building 1, Daytime Clinical Call Center, and the VISN 9 Weekends, Holidays, Evenings, and Nights (WHEN) Program she exhibits outstanding leadership by ensuring staff can succeed and excel in their roles. Melissa provides exceptional leadership through her many years as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Manager Roles by setting the example for others to follow. She is a true servant leader! Melissa works tirelessly on the VISN 9 Clinical Call Center Modernization Team to provide valuable insight on best practices ensuring the program will succeed. I am proud to call her my Supervisor."
"During Melissa’s time as interim Ambulatory Care Chief, she was very supportive and professional. She made a genuine effort to assist all the nurse managers with their clinics. We met on a regular basis via TEAMS to troubleshoot issues. Melissa was instrumental in helping me with an employee issue that ultimately ended in the termination of the employee and I greatly appreciated her guidance. Melissa was always cheerful and a ray of sunshine on days that were challenging."
Melissa Richardson is a steady force that leads with gentleness and understanding. She is mission-driven, and through that drive has quickly become the subject matter expert for the first-ever VISN Clinical Call Center. She has worked on holidays, vacations, and weekends to ensure that CCC is supported and built from the foundation up with the Veterans and employees as the key drivers for its success. She has become instrumental in the transitioning of the WHEN team to remote workers and subsequently as the new VISN direct report staff. She has willingly signed on to remain their supervisor through the transition to ensure that the WHEN team is supported through each step of the process.
Melissa has held many positions here in the Lexington VA and in every position, she has been a leader dedicated to the betterment of the Veterans we serve and the staff that provide their care. The following are examples of how Melissa has assisted, inspired, mentored, and lead many people throughout her time here at LVAHCC.
"I cannot say enough about the leadership of Melissa Richardson. Melissa has been a mentor to me while I have been detailed as an acting nurse manager. The very first time I had an opportunity to detail as an acting nurse manager, Melissa led and guided me. For every question that I had, she was right there with wonderful advice and guidance. She would always say 'well what would you do?' This helped me more than anything. It allowed to me say what I would do and allowed me to listen to her feedback and guidance. Melissa has shared her wealth of knowledge in leadership with me and helped me become a better leader."
"Melissa stepped up to the challenge of assuming the acting Chief role for as long as needed. She frequently reached out to the managers to make sure our service/program needs were met and made sure she was always available when needed. She provided steady leadership during this transition and her efforts were greatly appreciated. Although of course, I am familiar with the VISN Call Center, I am not familiar with the ins and outs of how the program operates. I do know, however, that it is HUGE and her work on the team has been extensive! She has a handle on the program and her level of knowledge/understanding I’m sure was invaluable. It’s a great program with great outcomes!"
"As a coworker of Melissa’s for many years. I have often wondered how she keeps going. How does she keep up with everyone’s schedule and concerns, and still manage to keep everything flowing so smoothly and still smile? Melissa is a powerful, smart, caring woman. Nevertheless, just a nurse, led by the Almighty God, a woman full of faith, compassion, prayerful wisdom, and God-given strength, fulfilling her calling to a career in nursing. She is the nurse that never stops loving us, she helps us when we are down, gives us an extra push to keep us going, and is quick to settle the problems when they arise. She is the nurse that has never given up through the storms of many years at the Lexington VA."
"Melissa Richardson is a true asset to the Lexington VA HCS. She spends countless hours working to improve the quality of care our Veterans receive through her selfless dedication. In her role as the Nurse Manager, Primary Care Building 1, Daytime Clinical Call Center, and the VISN 9 Weekends, Holidays, Evenings, and Nights (WHEN) Program she exhibits outstanding leadership by ensuring staff can succeed and excel in their roles. Melissa provides exceptional leadership through her many years as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Manager Roles by setting the example for others to follow. She is a true servant leader! Melissa works tirelessly on the VISN 9 Clinical Call Center Modernization Team to provide valuable insight on best practices ensuring the program will succeed. I am proud to call her my Supervisor."
"During Melissa’s time as interim Ambulatory Care Chief, she was very supportive and professional. She made a genuine effort to assist all the nurse managers with their clinics. We met on a regular basis via TEAMS to troubleshoot issues. Melissa was instrumental in helping me with an employee issue that ultimately ended in the termination of the employee and I greatly appreciated her guidance. Melissa was always cheerful and a ray of sunshine on days that were challenging."