Melody Dickerson

Melody Dickerson, DNP, RN, CENP, CPHQ, FACHE has a diverse and extensive work experience in the healthcare industry. Melody currently serves as the Senior Vice President, Hospital Operations, and Chief Nursing Officer at Virginia Hospital Center, where they are responsible for overseeing operations and managing a team of nurses. Prior to this, they held the same position at the hospital since June 2017.

Before joining Virginia Hospital Center, Dickerson served as the Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital from 2014 to April 2017. In this role, they provided administrative oversight of nursing operations for inpatient and outpatient services at a Level III Trauma Center. Melody also monitored quality outcomes, identified improvement opportunities, and supported the development of data collection systems.

From 2012 to 2014, Dickerson held the position of Director, Clinical Effectiveness at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. Here, they directed the operational activities for quality, patient safety, and infection control programs across four hospitals. Melody was also responsible for budgeting, staffing, and strategic planning for the region.

From 2010 to 2012, Dickerson worked as a Robust Process Improvement Master Black Belt at The Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare. In this role, they coordinated and facilitated projects related to patient safety and outcomes improvement in healthcare organizations. Melody also developed a strategic plan for the center and managed the development of the Targeted Solutions Tool.

Dickerson began their career at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, where they worked from 1995 to 2010. Melody held the positions of Six Sigma Black Belt and Clinical Nurse Specialist in Cardiology. Throughout their career, they have demonstrated expertise in process improvement, quality management, and nursing leadership.

Melody Dickerson, DNP, RN, CENP, CPHQ, FACHE, obtained their Doctorate in Nursing Practice with a focus on executive leadership from Baylor University in 2023. Prior to that, they completed their Master of Science in Nursing Administration at Gardner-Webb University in 2003. Melody obtained their Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Winston Salem State University from 1992 to 1995. Additionally, they hold various certifications including Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Certified in Executive Nursing Practice, Texas Registered Nurse, CPHQ Certification, Master Black Belt Certification, and Black Belt Certification.