Her Story
About Melissa
Melissa Noa is a nurse practitioner based in Gaylord, Michigan. With 23 years in the medical field, she began her career as a receptionist in an oncology office before advancing to become a nurse and then a nurse practitioner. She currently works at a specialty infusion center focused on treating patients in rural areas, where she advocates for patients by calling them for information, writing appeal letters, and helping overturn insurance denials for necessary medications. Her primary expertise is in oncology, and she recently completed a course in rheumatology to expand her specialty knowledge. Melissa earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from Ferris State University and her master's degree in nursing from Purdue Global in January 2024. She is an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner and a member of the Oncology Nursing Society. Melissa values putting the patient first in her work and maintaining work-life balance personally. She credits career advice to keep going as instrumental in her journey from receptionist to nurse practitioner.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice that I have ever received was, keep going. ... The physician I was working with put, you know, Melissa Noah, future RN. ... Every time I finished one accomplishment, he'd reach out to me and said, what's next? Just keep going.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The sky's the limit, truly. If you're dedicated to something you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to. Don't give up. It will be hard. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and it is so rewarding.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I have is insurance companies. ... the important thing is, is to not give up on that, and to find other avenues to try to get these things approved for the patients.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Personal life, it's that work-life balance. ... when it comes to work, the most thing that's most important to me is putting the patient first.
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