Black History Month - Melissa McFarlane-Boddie's Story

Black History Month is a time to reflect on those who were pioneers of their time decades ago, as well as celebrate those who are making history today. Today we celebrate Melissa McFarlane-Boddie, RN, the first African-American DAISY award winner at UF Health Flagler Hospital. Though she couldn’t have known she would one day make UF Health St. Johnshistory, she’s been a caregiver since childhood. “I know this is what I was born to do,” she said.

Melissa, who works in the Cardiovascular Unit, moved to the United States from Jamaica in 2015 and is currently earning her bachelor's degree in nursing. She was inspired to become a nurse because of her son, who has autism. Seeing the impact that those in the health care field had on their lives, moved her to want to make an equally substantial impact on others.

She credits the team in the Cardiovascular Unit at UF Health Flagler Hospital for the experience she has received in her nursing career, and for developing her into the high-quality nurse she is today. Melissa says the doctors, providers, and staff she works with are dedicated to teaching and mentoring. This not only helps to make her feel comfortable and confident in her role but also develops the entire team.

"I chose to work at UF Health St. Johnsbecause they do so much for underserved populations like my own in this community, and I knew I wanted to be part of that,” said Melissa. When I won the DAISY award, I was going through a rough patch in my nursing career, but hearing my nomination from a patient of mine and the impact I made in their life reminded me why I chose nursing in the first place."