Melissa Berard
Melissa D. Berard
Assistant Nurse Manager | Forbes Regional Hospital
Following in the footsteps of her mother, a professional nurse, Melissa D. Berard has dedicated her career to the fields of nursing, healthcare, and management since earning a diploma in registered nursing from the Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences in 2004.
Ms. Berard launched her career at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where she remained for 10 years, before joining the staff at Forbes Regional Hospital. She was active there as a registered nurse working in the operating room, working directly with patients and providers on treatment regimes, and coordinating complex surgical procedures and ensuring optimal patient outcomes. Through this, she worked her way to be clinical coordinator for neurosurgery up until 2022.
Since 2022, Ms. Berard has found success as the assistant nurse manager at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus; her extensive career in nursing is founded on her commitment to excellence in patient care.
Prior to earning her nursing diploma, Ms. Berard attained a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Lycoming College in 1995 and returned to education later on at Jacksonville University with a BS in registered nursing in 2018 and a master’s in nursing administration in 2022. In addition, she’s bolstered her credentials with a certified nurse operative room accreditation through the Competency & Credentialing Institute.
As a further dedication to her industry, Ms. Berard has been active as a board member and served as a chapter president with the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, an assemblage of more than 40,000 registered nurses whose mission is to support those in the field through management, teaching, and practicing. Outside of a hospital setting, she has proudly been active as a foster parent through a local animal shelter since 2020. She attributes her success to all the people she collaborated with, particularly the leaders in her organization like Rachelle Williams, MSN, RN, CNOR, whom she considers a mentor.
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Honors Melissa D. Berard, MSN, for Expertise in Health Care, Nursing and Management
Melissa D. Berard, MSN, celebrates 20 years of excellence as a dedicated health care professional
PITTSBURGH, PA, October 15, 2024 —
Melissa D. Berard, MSN, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Berard is a dedicated health care professional with over 20 years of experience in the nursing field. Since 2022, she has been the assistant nurse manager at Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Ms. Berard’s extensive career in nursing has been marked by significant achievements and a commitment to excellence in patient care.
Ms. Berard began her career as a registered nurse at UPMC in 2004, honing her skills and developing a strong patient care foundation over a decade-long tenure. In 2014, she transitioned to Forbes Regional Hospital as a staff registered nurse. Her dedication and expertise quickly led to her promotion to clinical coordinator for neurosurgery in 2017, a role she held until 2022. During this period, Ms. Berard was instrumental in coordinating complex surgical procedures and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
In preparation for her future, Ms. Berard received a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Lycoming College in 1995 and received a diploma in registered nursing from Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences in 2004. She also studied at Jacksonville University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in registered nursing and a Master of Science in nursing administration in 2018 and 2022, respectively. These academic accomplishments have equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective leadership and patient care. Moreover, Ms. Berard received additional qualifications. She holds a registered nurse designation and completed the certified nurse operative room accreditation through the Competency & Credentialing Institute.
In addition to her clinical roles, Ms. Berard has been an active member of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), where she served as a board member and former chapter president. Her involvement with AORN underscores her commitment to advancing the nursing profession and supporting her peers through leadership and advocacy.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. Berard is actively involved in her community by fostering for a local animal shelter. This role reflects her compassionate nature and commitment to giving back to society.
Ms. Berard attributes much of her success to the collaborative efforts with her colleagues and the leadership within her organization. Inspired by her mother’s career as a nurse, she has dedicated herself to positively impacting the lives of her patients.
As she prepares for future opportunities, Ms. Berard aims to advance to higher-level management positions within the health care industry. Her dedication to continuous improvement and passion for nursing will continue to drive her future successes and contributions to the field.