Ironically, the one place Melissa Hunter dislikes the most is behind her desk. “I do think that it’s kind of ironic. It’s my least favorite place to be. When I get tired of the administrative side of things, I just love to go around and talk to patients and staff and see what’s going well and what’s not going well. This reflects the essence of who Melissa is in the workplace. She thrives on being hands-on and creating in-depth relationships with patients and colleagues alike.
She knew from a young age what she wanted to be-there was no question about it. “I always knew I wanted to be a nurse.” Growing up at Lake of 
the Ozarks, she understood she had a purpose: to return and serve her community. During her summers home from Central Methodist University, she worked as a patient care technician in the emergency department, where she fell in love with the fast-paced environment of the ER. After graduating from CMU, she knew exactly where she belonged. Following a few years working in the ER and as a house supervisor, she recognized that pursuing a leadership position was the natural next step in her career. She quickly fell in love with the dynamic nature of jumping between different units throughout her day. “I am very lucky to have so many people around me supporting me.”
As the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer at Lake Regional Health System Melissa is no stranger to staying busy. She often highlights how she struggles to stay still in her administrative office when she knows she can be out with her colleagues, ensuring everything is running smoothly. One of her favorite stories from being behind her desk includes a former patient and his kind actions toward her and her staff after his stay at Lake Regional “Bill received care in our Progressive Care Unit.
He came to my office and brought stacks of handwritten letters that he wanted me to give to the team that took care of him. He had their first and last names individually written, with a personal message for each staff member. I mean, just the kindest, most thoughtful notes you’ve ever read, and that kind of sparked a couple of things.” Hunter explains how the personal relationships she’s built with patients and staff keep her motivated to return each day. Her call to serve others has led to a fulfilling career, filled with special stories that she looks back on fondly. “You just never know the impact that you can have on people, and it just makes me keep coming back.”
Some of Melissa’s proudest accomplishments at Lake Regional include implementing lifesaving technology to improve patient care. “We have so many things here at Lake Regional that I’m proud of, but I look back, specific to my career, and I was part of the team that started up our stroke program.” Being part of creating change that leads to
significant improvements in the services at Lake Regional is one of Melissas proudest achievements during her time at the hospital. She frequently recalls personal testimonies from past patients, who thank her for the care they received. “They will say to me, ‘You don’t know this, but you saved my life.” She shares the countless stories she’s heard from patients, where, unbeknownst to her, a decision or recommendation she made ended up saving lives. After many years of working, she never tires o hearing these stories and knowing that she is making a difference i the Lake community.
The key to Melissa Hunter’s success has been her ability to remain humble and grateful for the support of those around her. “There hav been so many people here at Lake Regional who have wrapped thei arms around me. From physicians to nurses to administrators. I se riously feel so blessed to have learned so many things from so many people here.” She also gives a shout-out to her husband, JD Hunter and her two sons,
Tyler and Zachary, for being her support system at home. When Melissa isn’t making a difference at Lake Regional, she can be found at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on NFL Sundays, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs or traveling to tropical destinations on well-deserved vacations with her family.