Leadership Changes

PICU and 7C Teams,

Many of you have heard from me personally or through the grapevine that I have accepted a position as Clinical Operations Project Manager for the design and construction of the new MUSC Children’s Hospital and Women’s Pavilion.  First, my sincere apologies if you did not hear the news from me.  I started telling our team members last Monday and then, unexpectedly, had to take some time off to be with my father who has been very ill and in the CVICU at Roper.  It was very important to me to be able to meet with each of you, and I am saddened that did not happen.

For the past 6 years (3 for 7C), I have had the privilege of working with the most incredible group of clinicians.  Your stellar clinical skills and extraordinary patient/family advocacy have inspired me each day.  I could not have asked for a more dedicated, passionate, and compassionate care team.  I have always felt I was the luckiest nurse manager at MUSC because of your amazing success, quality outcomes, and commitment to patient safety.  I could not be more proud to be associated with each of you.  For all these reasons, I could never imagine leaving our pediatric critical care team.  I’ve considered myself to be a “lifer” in this role.  However, I was recruited for the position of Clinical Project Manager, and after much consideration, could not pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity.  My entire career at MUSC has been built on the fundamentals of patient and family-centered care and staff engagement.  Now I have the opportunity to help build a structure that supports those ideals.  It gives me chills to think of how even more amazing your care will be when we have a space that supports our mission.

We have a saying, “Once a PICU nurse, always a PICU nurse”.  The same is true for intermediate care.  I do not ever plan to leave MUSC and will always remain in close contact with our units (not just for the build).  I will continue to serve in the nurse manager role (and have already started the Project Manager role) until a new manager is hired.  We will still have PICU and 7C together and I am hopeful this will be an opportunity to revisit having an assistant nurse manager.  You will all be given the chance for input in the hiring process, and I will certainly be available to assist/mentor the new manager in the transition phase.  This is such a bittersweet change for me, and I am so very thankful to know I have your continued support.  You all have made me a better leader and a better person.

With much love and the highest respect,

Melinda