Michelle Young-Stevenson
Michelle Young-Stevenson is a dedicated healthcare professional whose lifelong passion for nursing began in her teenage years, when she volunteered as a hospital candy striper to explore her interest in patient care. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rochester, where she discovered a calling in rehabilitation nursing—working closely with patients facing chronic conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injuries. Seeking to deepen her expertise, she pursued a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Nursing from Boston University in 1978, laying the foundation for a career defined by compassion, education, and long-term patient impact.
Over the course of a 50-year career, Michelle held a wide range of roles across acute care, rehabilitation centers, clinical research, and public health. She advanced from staff development and clinical specialties into leadership and administrative positions, eventually serving as a Health Care Coordinator with the Philadelphia Department of Health until her retirement in 2020. Her career also included time in clinical research and transitional care, reflecting her adaptability during major shifts in the healthcare landscape. In addition to her domestic work, Michelle contributed internationally, providing training in Puerto Rico and teaching healthcare practices in Vietnam, further extending her commitment to global health education.
Beyond her professional roles, Michelle has been a passionate mentor, leader, and community advocate. She served as president of local chapters within organizations such as the National Black Nurses Association and the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, and she has remained actively involved in community health initiatives. Her volunteer work with the Diabetes Association focused on preventative education, helping individuals adopt healthier lifestyles through practical, accessible guidance. Even in retirement, Michelle continues to support her community through health fairs and outreach efforts, embodying her belief in lifelong learning, service, and empowering others to lead healthier lives.
• Certification in Research
• Certification in Rehabilitation Nursing
• Villanova University
• Boston University- Master's
• University of Rochester- B.S.N.
• National Black Nurses Association
• Association of Rehab Nurses
• Health Volunteers Overseas (Vietnam teaching)
• Diabetes Association (pre-diabetic education)
• Health fairs and community activities
• Puerto Rico health center volunteer work
What do you attribute your success to?
I was always interested in nursing from when I was a teenager. Growing up, I always liked taking care of people, finding out what was wrong, and how things could be better. When you grow up around people in all generations, you may have a grandmother who took care of you when you were sick, and you'd ask what are you giving me - they had all these old-time remedies, and it was just interesting in how you could help somebody improve their whole lifestyle through eating better, doing more activities, and watching out for using what you have and making the most of that. Everybody doesn't have a lot of money to do certain things, but you can eat the right way even though you have a different kind of a budget. You just have to look at what you do so that will keep your life without any of the current problems - people smoking and drinking, those kind of things, you need to cut that out because you can see what happens down the road. You can prevent some heart disease, you can prevent strokes. I felt that I was a mentor for people that I worked with. I was a leader. I was in several organizations where I became president of local chapters. You have to build on the information that you get and continue to learn and be current so that you are giving people the correct information, working with other disciplines, physician groups, Diabetes Association, Heart Association. I also got involved sometimes politically with legislative issues - I went to Capitol Hill to discuss needs with the congresspeople and your Senators and your community to make sure there was funding and other things to help support the needs of the community.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I was always encouraged to investigate what I wanted to do and set up short-term goals so that I could have achieved those goals. And it worked. So I was able to change from doing bedside nursing to doing some research, and then, again, doing management and leadership.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Hospital closures and instability in research roles present ongoing challenges, while expanding community-based nursing, strengthening legislative advocacy for funding, and advancing public health education offer critical opportunities for impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Lifelong learning, mentorship, and community service are central to both my work and personal life, along with a strong commitment to preventive health education that emphasizes realistic, budget-friendly lifestyle changes. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, and a little shopping, and while I don’t sew as much as I used to, it’s still a hobby I value.