Melissa Dinges
December 2024
Melissa
Dinges
,
RN
Supportive and Palliative Care
Billings Clinic Hospital
Billings
,
MT
United States
I knew that if anyone could help, it would be her. I reached out to Melissa, explaining the situation, and asked if she could assist my friend in avoiding the frustrating and overwhelming process of navigating multiple calls.
I want to take a moment to highlight the incredible teamwork displayed by two departments at Billings Clinic in helping ensure the best possible outcome for a patient—Melissa Dinges and Kerry Nichols are truly exceptional.
A close friend of mine, who was receiving care at another local hospital and its cancer center, faced a troubling situation earlier this year. In late June, blood work revealed a high likelihood of cancer, and it was not until early September that she was able to get a PET scan.
Unfortunately, when she accessed her results online, she discovered that the diagnosis indicated a mass on her liver. When she contacted the oncology office (at the other local hospital), she was told there was insufficient staff to schedule a follow-up appointment and that she would have to wait 2-3 weeks to hear back from someone regarding the next steps. My friend was devastated.
When my own mother passed away, I had the privilege of working with Melissa Dinges. I knew that if anyone could help, it would be her. I reached out to Melissa, explaining the situation, and asked if she could assist my friend in avoiding the frustrating and overwhelming process of navigating multiple calls. Melissa immediately knew the next step was to involve Kerry Nichols, the nurse navigator in Oncology. She assured me she would contact Kerry once we hung up and advised my friend to call Kerry in about 15 minutes.
My friend did just that, and thanks to the prior communication between Melissa and Kerry, Kerry was able to act swiftly. She immediately coordinated to have my friend’s medical records sent to Billings Clinic Oncology, promising to follow up that same day to see what could be done. Kerry reviewed the records and arranged for my friend to see an oncologist in just two business days. In addition, Kerry reached out to Melissa to ensure that palliative care would be involved at the time of the appointment on Monday to help manage my friend's pain.
To make the situation even more meaningful, it turns out that my friend's late husband was one of Melissa’s first patients out of nursing school 24 years ago. Melissa remembered my friend as a kind and compassionate person and was looking forward to helping her in any way that she could.
When my friend visits, she will meet with Kerry, Melissa, and specialists from both Oncology and Palliative Care. It is this level of compassionate, coordinated care that sets Billings Clinic apart from others.
Billings Clinic is not just a place of care; it is teams working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.
Thank you to Melissa and Kerry for demonstrating what exceptional care looks like.
Note: This is Melissa's 2nd DAISY Award!
A close friend of mine, who was receiving care at another local hospital and its cancer center, faced a troubling situation earlier this year. In late June, blood work revealed a high likelihood of cancer, and it was not until early September that she was able to get a PET scan.
Unfortunately, when she accessed her results online, she discovered that the diagnosis indicated a mass on her liver. When she contacted the oncology office (at the other local hospital), she was told there was insufficient staff to schedule a follow-up appointment and that she would have to wait 2-3 weeks to hear back from someone regarding the next steps. My friend was devastated.
When my own mother passed away, I had the privilege of working with Melissa Dinges. I knew that if anyone could help, it would be her. I reached out to Melissa, explaining the situation, and asked if she could assist my friend in avoiding the frustrating and overwhelming process of navigating multiple calls. Melissa immediately knew the next step was to involve Kerry Nichols, the nurse navigator in Oncology. She assured me she would contact Kerry once we hung up and advised my friend to call Kerry in about 15 minutes.
My friend did just that, and thanks to the prior communication between Melissa and Kerry, Kerry was able to act swiftly. She immediately coordinated to have my friend’s medical records sent to Billings Clinic Oncology, promising to follow up that same day to see what could be done. Kerry reviewed the records and arranged for my friend to see an oncologist in just two business days. In addition, Kerry reached out to Melissa to ensure that palliative care would be involved at the time of the appointment on Monday to help manage my friend's pain.
To make the situation even more meaningful, it turns out that my friend's late husband was one of Melissa’s first patients out of nursing school 24 years ago. Melissa remembered my friend as a kind and compassionate person and was looking forward to helping her in any way that she could.
When my friend visits, she will meet with Kerry, Melissa, and specialists from both Oncology and Palliative Care. It is this level of compassionate, coordinated care that sets Billings Clinic apart from others.
Billings Clinic is not just a place of care; it is teams working together to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.
Thank you to Melissa and Kerry for demonstrating what exceptional care looks like.
Note: This is Melissa's 2nd DAISY Award!