Through hard work and perseverance, Melanie Kearse has been able to steadily advance her career in healthcare administration.
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A Slow & Steady Climb
I started as a part-time Records Clerk at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I worked my way up in the organization going from a Clerk to Asst. Manager. Around 2004, I moved to the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine as an Administrative Coordinator overseeing three services.
I also went back to school and eventually obtained both my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Health Administration and Informatics. I was promoted to an Administrative Manager. In that role, I helped to expand and shape the administrative aspect of healthcare. This position allowed me to work within the organization in helping to expand my experience in project management and development in all aspects of healthcare.
Today, my expertise is in healthcare leadership, project management, change management and staff development. I’ve grown so much in that role at Sloan Kettering and it was difficult to leave my first professional family. But, fast forward to 22 years later, I am in a new state where I’ve joined the Novant Health Care family.
Secrets to Success
My advice is to never give up and always challenge yourself and others. I got into leadership by asking questions and voicing my opinions. By asking questions, it lead me to provide solutions that helped to improve workflow processes.
It hasn’t always been easy. The most challenging part of leadership for me was fitting into the “group.” I started from the bottom and worked my way up. My advancement was based on hard work and not through who I knew. The most rewarding part of my career is my satisfaction with every successful project I’ve completed. At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, I was known as the person who would get the job done.
You’re Never Alone
My IAW membership has been a big help when it comes to advancing my career. For example, I have taken advantage of the webinars it offers that provide continuous education. I also enjoy reading other members’ profiles and the different blogs because I ‘ve learned that I am not alone in dealing with the struggles of being a woman in a leadership role. My advice to other members is to stay active, read the blogs and take advantage of the webinars and other IAW benefits and resources.
Looking Ahead
My future goals are to take my experiences and knowledge and use them to help me grow at Novant Health Care Center. I want to become a top leader and continue to expand my skills in all aspects of healthcare leadership.
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