Melissa Yeager

I am a cardiac critical care nurse by background with over two decades of experience spanning clinical practice, legal consulting, education, and healthcare leadership. My career has been dedicated to advancing patient care, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and driving performance improvement across complex healthcare systems. From 2002 to 2018, I served in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at the University of Rochester Medical Center, a period marked by significant innovation and rapid technological progress. I cared for patients there during numerous departmental milestones, including URMC’s first heart transplant, first ventricular assist device implantation, and the evolution of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. During this time, I developed expertise in high-acuity clinical care and learned the essential leadership skills of clear communication, critical thinking, and maintaining composure in high-pressure environments. From 2018 to 2025, I transitioned into the role of Legal Nurse Consultant at Faraci Lange, LLP, collaborating with plaintiff attorneys on complex medical negligence and personal injury litigation. I conducted comprehensive analyses of medical causation, standards of care, and damages, contributing to evidence-based case strategies and client advocacy. Concurrently, I served as a guest lecturer for healthcare professionals at organizations including URMC, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and St. John Fisher University, presenting on medical-legal issues and patient safety. I have since returned to URMC as an Assistant Nurse Manager in ambulatory advanced heart failure, while pursuing an MBA at the Simon Business School. My professional goal is to integrate my clinical, legal, and leadership experience to strengthen organizational excellence, enhance clinical outcomes, and promote a culture of innovation and accountability within healthcare delivery.