Alumni Profile - Debra Mellon '86
Each spring, the College hosts a variety of award ceremonies recognizing students, faculty and graduates for professional and academic achievements. This year, the Allied Health, Emergency Services and Nursing division will honor one of its own, Debra Mellon ’86, with its Distinguished Alumni Award as part of National Nurses Week next month. The award recognizes an alumna who has taken her education and made a difference in the community as well as in the lives of others. Debra’s experiences, detailed below, are a great example of the work our Allied Health graduates are doing in hospitals and medical offices all across the United States.
What year did you graduate from Delaware County Community College and with what degree?
"I graduated in December 1986 from the School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. At the time, I was a married mother of four very small children with a calling to maternal child nursing."
Did you pursue further academic goals?
"I completed the Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate Program with the University of Pennsylvania’s Continuing Education department in 1994. My husband and family were very supportive of my desire to return to school."
Where are you now? What are you doing?
"In 1995, I joined The Chester County Hospital’s OB/GYN Clinic as a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner. We are a non-profit hospital and therefore the Clinic is funded both by the Hospital and a few small grants. I have had the opportunity to serve uninsured women in Chester County since that time by delivering OB/GYN care. I currently manage our unit of seven wonderful bilingual staff members and also deliver patient care. To date, I have cared for over 7,500 women during pregnancy and now have some of those first babies returning for care of their current pregnancy. The OB/GYN Clinic delivers 20 percent of the total hospital deliveries. Many of my patients are foreign born and have not had the opportunity to receive previous medical care. Culturally sensitive care, respect and education of the patient are vital for the best patient outcome. Our patients receive high quality prenatal care and our birth outcomes exceed the Healthy People 2020 initiative for low birth weight, breast feeding and smoking. Our Clinic is located inside The Chester County Hospital in West Chester and has an additional office in Kennett Square."
What is next for you professionally?
"My goal is to continue to evolve our OB/GYN Clinic to provide care to uninsured and underinsured women. The Clinic has been in operation since 1952 and development of grant opportunities will provide funding to continue the program. I am currently exploring educational opportunities in the Nursing Informatics field and hope to return to school this fall."
What advice do you have for your fellow alumni or current students from the College?
"Never underestimate yourself! Education is a lifelong learning experience and a privilege to receive. Whichever educational path you take it will never be wasted. Take the challenge and follow your instincts as you will never feel the exhilaration of success if you don’t take the first step. Always remember to “Pay it Forward” in life. You never know what life you may impact."
For more information about the College's Allied Health, Emergency Services and Nursing division please visit the division's page on the website here. You can also visit the website for Chester County Hospital at www.cchosp.com for more information about their services and location.
