By Lois Thomson, South Florida Hospital News, for ACHE of South Florida

“It's been amazing, it feels like home!” That is Melissa Emerson's observation about her current position of Chief Operating Officer at Bethesda Hospital. Emerson can make a statement like that because Bethesda is where she began her nursing career.

“I started my healthcare career as a nurse extern while in nursing school at Bethesda Hospital East in 2003, then in 2004 I graduated nursing school with a bachelors from FAU, and from there I was a nurse leader at Bethesda.”

Since that time, Emerson has continued her education and advanced her career until she has now attained the position of COO.

Following her initial time at Bethesda, Emerson worked at Good Samaritan, where she was promoted to administrative director of clinical operations – a role that encouraged her to seek a masters. “I had been a nurse for more than 10 years, and a leader for many of those years, so I was trying to figure out which master program to go into. During my career, I always made decisions to keep as many doors open as possible; I sought new experiences and different roles that challenged me, so I ended up going back to school, to FAU for the executive MBA program.”

After earning her MBA, Emerson continued her nurse leadership path and became director of nursing at Broward Health Coral Springs. “Then during Covid in 2020 I was promoted to chief nursing officer of the hospital.” She admitted, “It was an interesting time to step into that role. I was still close to bedside leadership and staffing, and intimately knowledgeable about policies and procedures. We were really only focusing on basics. We weren't looking to elevate nursing practices or policies, just trying to keep our employees safe and our patients alive.”

A series of events nearly three years ago brought Emerson back to Bethesda as COO, where her responsibilities include overseeing Baptist's heart and vascular institute, and surgical services. “My role with those institutes is to have growth strategies, make sure we're meeting the needs of the community, and continue to position ourselves as the hospital that patients want to choose for services.”

Encompassed in her work is overseeing the imaging department, lab, environmental services, food and nutrition, construction team and facilities, pharmacy, and security.

Emerson said her favorite part of her work is the people, and she receives the “most joy out of removing any barriers for our staff so they can do the job they were hired to do.”

It was during her work at Broward that Emerson was introduced to ACHE, the American College of Healthcare Executives. “I had colleagues who were active in ACHE, and as I went to meetings, the topics of the sessions resonated with my work, even as a CNO. I wanted to be involved in an organization that continued how we can look to advance healthcare, make improvements, and support each other.”

That was her draw more than 5 years ago, and then just last year she became a fellow. “As a COO, and with my background in nursing, I wanted to have that fellow behind my name, to support my work and show I have that healthcare experience.”

Along with the fellow distinction, Emerson appreciates the networking associated with ACHE. “Life experiences and situations are always changing, so you can meet people and expand your network. That's what the profession is all about, building relationships and connections – because you never know who you can help, or who can be a resource for you.” She added that she tries to encourage direct reports who are looking to advance in their career: “I always recommend that they join.”

In addition to her association with ACHE, Emerson is currently chair of FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Advisory Board, and also sits on the Greater Delray Chamber of Commerce board of directors.