Joseph Receives National Black Achievement Award
Melissa Joseph, RN, assistant nurse manager of Diversity, received the Black Achiever Award in January from the Greater Boston YMCA. As assistant nurse manager of diversity, Joseph directs BWH’s outreach to community nursing schools and recruits and mentors eight to 10 nursing students during the summer. She arrived at BWH in 2002 while working as a traveling nurse.
Joseph, who is studying for her master’s degree in nursing leadership, began volunteering while in her native Florida. Over six years, she conducted countless health education workshops for lower income families who belonged to her church. Since arriving in Boston, Joseph participated in forums on racial and ethnic disparities in health care. Also, she has been a dedicated “Promising Pen Pal” to students at the James P. Timilty Middle School for four years. She will dedicate her 40 hours of community service to the Young Achiever’s Summer Institution, where she will tutor and mentor children ages 10 to 17.
Joseph has accepted a position at Faulkner Hospital where, beginning in April, she will serve as nurse manager of 6 North, a medical unit. She will continue to work one day a week with the Diversity Mentorship Program at BWH.