HELLO, I'M
Melissa Thone
Planetary Health Nurse
Melissa Thone BSN, RN, PHN
DNP-s Health Innovation & Leadership
Master of Public Health-s
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Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing
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Baccalaureate of Arts in Communications- Public Relations
(612)-750-5286
Nursing Philosophy
MY ROLE AS A TRUSTED MESSENGER
As humans, we seek connection, and as nurses, we curate the healing space for this desired connection through the privileged presence of our sacred work. This rich human connection is the foundation for developing meaningful partnerships that can transform all dimensions of health and it gives profound meaning and purpose to my work.
The anthropogenic stressors on our planet directly influence human health and disease. As the threats from current impacts like air pollution, extreme temperatures, weather changes, food insecurity, and vector-borne diseases endure, the threats to human health will intensify and new threats will continue to emerge. People must understand how the health of our planet directly impacts their health as a foundation for both understanding their relationships with the natural systems they are a part of as well as developing resilience to the effects of climate change.
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My role as a planetary health nurse is to serve as a trusted messenger curating the healing relationships between humans and the envirnment
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Education
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
Doctor of Nursing Practice- Health Innovation and Leadership
Expected Graduation: May 2024
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Master of Public Health
Expected Graduation: December 2024
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Global Health Through Study Abroad- Iceland
May, 2024
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Global Health Through Study Abroad- Cuba
March, 2023
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ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY
Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing
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Associate of Science in Nursing
Experience
WHERE I’VE WORKED
SYSTEM INFECTION PREVENTIONIST
M Health Fairview
January 2022- Present
TRAVEL REGISTERED NURSE
Aureus Medical Group
September 2018- December 2021
Natividad Hospital, Salina CA
CPMC, San Francisco, CA
French Hospital, San Luis Obispo, CA
Atrium Health Cleveland, Shelby, NC
Physicians Regional, Naples, FL
M Health Fairview Acute Rehab, Mpls, MN
UCSF Parnassus, San Francisco, CA
Dignity Health, Phoenix, AZ
CHI Franciscan Rehab Hospital, Tacoma, WA
REGISTERED NURSE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN- EAU CLARE
Baccalaureate of Arts in Communications- Public Relations
Minor in Global Studies
Study Abroad Program, London, England
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital
January 2014- September 2018
HOME CARE REGISTERED NURSE
Professional Resource Network
October 2013- September 2018
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
Environmental Science Focused Magnet High School
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital
January 2011- December 2013
CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT
Presbyterian Homes & Services
August 2010- December 2010
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR
American Cancer Society
October 2007- August 2010
SPECIAL EVENTS LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
May 2005- August 2007
Highlighted Skills
WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE
Change Management
Collaboration & Partnership
Design Thinking
Global Health
Innovation
Process Improvement
Public Health
Planetary Health Projects
WHERE MY PASSION LIES
N4PH Digital Resource Creation
Nursing For Planetary Health
Creating an online resource to showcase the work of N4PH and share their Nursing for Planetary Health framework
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Climate Change Resilience Digital Resource Creation
Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership
Creating a patient centered, health-focused climate change resilience resource utilizing a nursing head to toe assessment as the basis for information organization and understanding that includes climate change-related health assessment tools for webpage users
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Code Blue For Patient Earth Climate Conference
Health Professionals for A Healthy Climate
Shared personal stories of engaging in efforts to address the health impacts of climate change and educated fellow healthcare professionals in ways to engage in climate change advocacy work including writing op ed pieces and engaging with local politicians
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Earth Day Celebration
Science Museum of Minnesota
Presented planetary health education to museum patrons and co-facilitated interactive learning activities for all ages with fellow nurses. The success of the event has fostered an ongoing project aimed at exploring the potential for partnerships between nurses and museums. This working is continuing at the Science Museum of Minnesota and beginning in museums in Melbourne, Australia
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Global Nurses Working Group
Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE)
Collaborating with an international team of nurses to build the framework for training nurses to prevent, mitigate, and respond to the health impacts of climate change to support the GCCHE's aim to unite health professionals to work together to prevent, reduce, and respond to the health impacts of climate change.
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Ride For Their Lives Twin Cities
Ride For Their Lives
Partnered with local healthcare professionals to produce a local bike ride as part of an international collaboration of healthcare workers riding together to explore the actions we must take to protect the planet for our patients by building hope, developing resilience, celebrating successes, and sparking constructive conversations
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Transforming Curriculum
Using The Planetary Health Education Framework
University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Collaborated with fellow DNP nursing students to interweave planetary health into every level of nursing education as a resource for making planetary health nursing tangible and actionable. This crosswalk tool has been adopted by the University of Minnesota School of Nursing as well as several other universities and organizations as template for similar work
Leadership
WHERE I SHINE
Memberships
WHERE I CONNECT
Health Students for a Healthy Environment
University of Minnesota
Secretary, 2023-present
Member, 2021-present
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System Nursing Leadership Council
M Health Fairview
Member 2017-2018
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Open Call Committee
Guthrie Theatre
Co-Chair 2016-2018
Member 2015-2018
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Shared Decision Making Council
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital
Co-Chair 2017-2018
Member 2015-2018
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School of Environmental Studies Education Foundation
School of Environmental Studies
Vice President, 2016
Secretary, 2015
Member, 2011-2017
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Nurse Practice & Education Council
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital
Co-Chair, 2015-2016
Member, 2014-2016
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Safe Patient Handling Committee
M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital
Unit Representative, 2011-2013
Minnesota Public Health Association
Member, 2024-Present
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Association For Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology (APIC)
Member, 2021-Present
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Health Professionals for a Healthy Planet
Advocacy Training Speaker
Member, 2021-Present
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Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society
Inducted 2022
