S14 Health Care Heroes 2025
www.kearneyhub.com Kearney Hub SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025
Dr. Melissa Stade: Leading with Precision and Purpose in General Surgery
MELISSA STADE | KEARNEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
For Dr. Melissa Stade, medicine has always been more than just a career— it’s a calling rooted in compassion, purpose, and the pro- found responsibility of guiding patients through their most vulnerable moments. As a general surgeon with 18 years of experience, she has
Her decision to become a surgeon was driven by a deep desire to make a direct and last- ing impact. “I chose surgery because I wanted the opportunity to save lives with my hands,” she explains. “There is something uniquely powerful about being able to physically intervene in a way that can change the course of someone’s life.” Yet with that power has come a deeper understanding of limits. “Over time, I’ve learned that no matter how skilled or dedicated I am, I can’t control every outcome. That realization has made me a more t houghtful, more compassionate physician.” One of the most memorable moments in her career came recently while caring for a critically ill patient at Kearney Regional Medical Center. It was a case that required not just medical skill but emotional resilience and teamwork. “That experience reminded me how grateful I am to work with such an incredible team,” Dr. Stade recalls. “From the OR staff to the ICU nurses and the med-surg nursing supervisor— everyone came together. I truly felt the strength of our hospital community. We face hard things every day, but I always know I have a team behind me that’s ready to rise to any challenge.” To those considering a path in medicine, especially surgery, Dr. Stade offers simple but heartfelt advice: “Never, never, never give up. Becoming a physician takes hard work, dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. There will be moments of doubt and exhaustion—but the impact you have on people’s lives makes every struggle worthwhile.” With humility, faith, and a steadfast com- mitment to her patients, Dr. Melissa Stade continues to embody what it means to be a healer, a mentor, and a leader in her field.
Dr. Melissa Stade
stood beside countless individuals facing life-altering diagnoses, many of them in- volving cancer. “My greatest honor as a general surgeon is helping a patient through the most difficult part of their life,” she reflects. “Often, that means delivering the news of a cancer diagnosis. It’s during those moments that I’m able to offer knowledge, clarity, and, in many cases, the hope that surgery can be part of their cure. It’s a privilege to be trusted with that role.” The emotional demands of the job are real and constant. Every diagnosis, every decision in the operating room, and every post-operative conversation carries weight. But Dr. Stade has found balance through her strong sense of family and faith. “I of- ten say my greatest accomplishment is being a mother,” she says with a smile. “My time with my family and attending mass gives me a sense of peace and perspective. These moments allow me to reset emotionally so that I can continue to sup- port my patients with empathy and strength.” Mentorship is another cornerstone of Dr. Stade’s career. Over the years, she has taken great pride in serving as a guide and teacher to young physicians and students just beginning their journeys. “Being able to mentor others has been incredibly rewarding,” she says. “Watching them grow in skill, confidence, and compassion reminds me of how far I’ve come and how import - ant it is to lift others along the way.”
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