Nursing Alumna Melissa Meier (’09) joins Hospitalist Team at UPHS-Portage

Meier earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Finlandia before receiving her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from Olivet Nazarene University.

“I knew for a long time that I wanted to be a nurse,” Meier said. “I enjoy learning about the patient to help them in their time of need and how I can help improve their patient experience.”

She began her nursing career in the Surgical ICU at OSF St. Francis Medical Center where she gained most of her nursing experience. She then moved back to the Upper Peninsula to work for UPHS-Portage as a bedside nurse in the ICU and Medical/Surgical unit while she attended school to become a nurse practitioner.

“I am looking forward to continuing my career in the inpatient setting and get to work alongside some wonderful staff members,” Meier said.

Meier has lived most of her life in the Upper Peninsula and grew up in Little Lake, Michigan. Some of her favorite hobbies include hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and camping.

“One thing that I enjoy about the Copper Country is how inviting it is; both its people and its scenery,” she said. “I love being outdoors and the Copper Country does not disappoint.”

Meier joins the UPHS-Portage Hospitalist Team that is staffed by healthcare professionals who are specially trained in hospital care and who are on call 24 hours a day. The Hospitalist Team focuses exclusively on the care of hospitalized patients with knowledge of all hospital departments and specialists.

“As a nurse practitioner, my goal is patient-centered care to help improve the lives of those we serve,” Meier said. “I strive to treat each patient with compassion and respect in all of their healthcare needs.”

Meier will be practicing with the UPHS-Portage Hospitalist Team, located at 500 Campus Dr. in Hancock.