Nurse Spotlights

Kimberly Russo, MSN, RN, FN-CSA, CEN, TCRN 

Kimberly Russo is a Nurse Manager in University Hospital’s Emergency Department. Kim is devoted to her patients and the profession of nursing and chooses to work at UH because of its “special energy.” She loves all the staff and patients and takes pride in working with her team to care for a community that needs them. “We might not have all the bells and whistles, but it’s really special work. We’re not fancy, but we care.”

Kim became a nurse because she likes helping people. As a nurse, she is at people’s bedsides helping them when they are most vulnerable. At 10 years old, Kim became ill and was in and out of the hospital for a year. What she remembers most during that time are the nurses who cared for her. Those nurses had such an impact on her that she knew she wanted to be one too. Today, she has the unique privilege of working alongside some of those nurses who took care of her all those years ago.

Over the course of her career, Kim has worked to better the profession and the well-being of nurses as an active member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). In her role, she helps to plan education, network, and advocate for emergency nurses at the state and national levels. Kim recently joined the board of the ENA Foundation, where she raises money for research grants and scholarships for emergency nurses, helping them better serve their communities.

We are fortunate to have nurses like Kim at University Hospital, whose compassion and commitment to continuous improvement mean better care for our patients and our community. This month we’re raising money for our nurses at UH to get them what they need to take better care of you. Make a gift today at https://give.uhnjfoundation.org/nurses-week-2024.

Mellecia Beckles-Miller DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, CNOR

Mellecia Beckles is an Education Development Specialist in Perioperative Services at University Hospital. She began her journey at UH in 2016 as a baby Operating Room Nurse, where she found immense joy in learning and contributing to perioperative care. Throughout her time at UH, Mellecia focused on education to help her be a better nurse, first earning an Associate degree in 2015, to getting her Doctorate in Nursing Practice this year. She has profound gratitude to University Hospital for the myriad professional and educational opportunities that have shaped her career and played a pivotal role in her growth and professional development.

As an educator, Mellecia prioritizes ensuring that the nurses who come through our doors share University Hospital’s vision of providing quality care with passion and poise. Working with this urban community and serving this population, many of whom are underprivileged, has added a profound sense of purpose to her work. “It’s not just about providing healthcare; it’s about making a difference in the lives of people who may face unique challenges.”

We are grateful for nurses like Mellecia who are dedicated to their growth at University Hospital and to the patients we serve. This month we’re raising money for our nurses at UH to get them what they need to take better care of you. Make a gift today at https://give.uhnjfoundation.org/nurses-week-2024.