Melissa Mesenburg
Gives Her Heart and Soul to Nursing
story by WENDY NILSEN POLLITZER photos by PAUL NURNBERG
Life obstacles occasionally make us stronger but often make us complacent. We, as humans, tend to settle with familiar or societal setbacks and get through each day with hope and faith that tomorrow will be better. But what happens when it doesn’t get better? What do you do when you live in a household with poverty, mental illness, and drug abuse? You can struggle with sleep each night, praying you don’t fall victim to self-pity and shame. Or you can choose to recognize your inherited purpose and pursue a career that makes a difference.
That’s what Melissa Mesenburg did. She understood her responsibility as a lifelong caregiver and decided she wanted to not only help her family, but also help others. Melissa’s aunt died at a young age, and she witnessed bedside health care for the first time in Columbus, Ohio. At that instant, she knew what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. She reached into the depth of her soul and pledged devotion to the art and science of nursing.
Melissa received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Mt. Carmel College in 2006. As a nurse’s assistant in Oncology and Palliative Care, Melissa earned her Registered Nurse (RN) license quickly after that. As her career was blossoming, so was her desire for a family. It was about that time she met her future husband, Nick.
“We met one night when we were both out with friends. He worked for Lockheed Martin and left two days after we met. He went to work overseas. We communicated for a few months via email until he returned home. I think we both knew,” she smiles.
They married and moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where Lockheed Martin’s headquarters are located. And, in 2009, they had their first daughter, Cora. Melissa worked as a nurse in medical surgery and loved it until they had to move again in 2011. They relocated to southern Maryland to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, where Nick provided engineering support to F-35s. There, they had their second daughter, Laney. The F-35 program eventually brought them to Beaufort, where their third daughter, Genevieve, was born.
“We laugh that our daughters were born in three different states,” jokes Melissa.
But it’s here in Beaufort where Melissa and Nick have permanently settled, and they couldn’t be happier.
“We absolutely love Beaufort, and we’re staying,” she vows as her bright, green eyes pop with sincerity.
Melissa worked for Beaufort Memorial Hospital, the Naval Hospital, and All Children’s Pediatrics, as well as other providers in the community while she and her husband raised three daughters. In 2017, Melissa decided she wanted to pursue the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) graduate program at MUSC. While working in the postpartum unit at BMH, she graduated and earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, became an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and received her FNP-C, which focuses more on the clinical aspect of nursing to include assessment, diagnosis, plan, and evaluation.
“Of course, I graduated (without a graduation) during COVID-19, the first pandemic of our lifetime. Now I just had to find a job,” she insisted.
And she did. An FNP opening came available at Friends of Caroline Hospice (FOCH), a beloved hospice and palliative care organization in Port Royal, specializing in bereavement and coping services. FOCH began in 1977 when a young local woman named Caroline Sue Quann died of cancer at age 31. To honor her wishes to be at home for her final days, and die with grace and dignity, her friends resolved to provide her with companionship and medical care. This marked the founding of FOCH, the first non-profit hospice organization in Beaufort County.
It was the perfect fit. As a former employee in the marketing and events department at FOCH, I understand the organization’s genuine and heartfelt commitment to this community. And the greater Sea Island community supports this organization with such love and respect. After meeting Melissa for the first time, I understood her loyalty to the time-honored reputation of compassion and dedication. She is special. She gets people. She listens. She can talk to the person in front of her with 100 percent attention and give them the professional and personal reverence they deserve. She sees no race, no age, no gender, and no blurred lines when it comes to healthcare (and life in general, for that matter). If angels could walk on earth, Melissa Mesenburg strides with an invisible halo and wings that embrace humanity. Her energy simply radiates everything good.
Across the entire patient experience, and wherever there is someone in need of care, nurses work tirelessly to identify and protect the needs of the individual. Melissa connects with patients; yes, because she is mindful of their specific diagnoses and conditions, but also because she is compassionate. In her heart lies a fundamental respect for human dignity and an intuition for a patient’s needs.
“It’s my job at Friends of Caroline Hospice to make sure a patient dies with dignity, pain-free, and surrounded by loved ones. If done right, it can be a positive experience in a sad situation for families,” Melissa graciously explains.
Melissa is appreciative of the incredible staff at FOCH. Lindsay Roberg is the executive director at FOCH, and Dr. Gordon Krueger is the medical director.
“Lindsay is so driven and compassionate, and Dr. Krueger has taken me under his wing. I am beyond thankful to work with these hard-working and kind professionals at Friends. The entire staff is so lovely,” she smiles.
Friends of Caroline Hospice will open Caroline’s Cottage next year. The 19,000-square-foot, 8-bed facility will be built upon 10 acres on Okatie Highway and will be the area’s first inpatient hospice care facility.
“This facility will give patients and their families peace of mind when caring for a loved one at home is not an option or when an issue arises that can’t be taken care of at home. I’m very proud to be a part of this new initiative,” Melissa explains.
Melissa discovered her passion at a young age and has definitively found her career match at FOCH. As a working mom of three daughters (ages 11, 8, and 5), she admits that her life is organized chaos at times. But she and Nick are solid parents, emphasizing love and compassion every day of their lives.
“I grew up in poverty. I want to give them everything, but I don’t want them to feel entitled. I also want them to know that they can be whatever they want to be. If they work hard, they will succeed no matter what path they choose,” she smiles.
And daughters are indeed led by actions, not necessarily words. They saw their mom graduate while working full time and being the best mom she could be. “When I graduated from MUSC, Cora said to me, ‘I know you worked really hard for this mom. I’m so proud of you.’”
“That was probably more gratifying than graduating,” Melissa describes as those green eyes become a bit teary.
And what better compliment to a parent than the aspiration of your children to follow in your footsteps? Cora, the oldest, wants to follow dad’s passion for engineering and become a Blue Angel. Laney, in the middle, wants to be like mom and become a doctor. Genevieve, the youngest at 5, is still unsure.
“But I know whatever she decides, it’ll be great,” she laughs. “We just want to raise them to somehow give back to society.”
Melissa is active in the Junior Service League of Beaufort, and Nick is active with the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Beaufort County Airport. He is also in the Navy Reserve.
“But most importantly, he’s the best dad to our girls. He even knows how to braid!” she points out.
In the highly specialized profession of nursing, which is constantly evolving to address the needs of society, Beaufort is blessed to have called Melissa here to practice her passion. Thank you, Melissa, for all you do, and thank you, Friends of Caroline Hospice, for giving our community hope, encouragement, and care.
