Meet Melissa Covert, pictured with her husband and son, Liam. She’s Akron Children’s newest certified nurse practitioner in our Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Boardman.
When Melissa Covert, CNP, isn’t busy helping children manage endocrinology concerns, she can be found on the tennis court. She discovered a love for the game as a child and played both singles and doubles throughout high school. Even her first job centered around the sport, playing and scheduling rentals for a local racquet club’s indoor tennis and racquetball courts.
But as much as Melissa loves all things tennis and acing hits across the net, she’s most passionate about serving up high-quality care for kids as Akron Children’s newest certified nurse practitioner in our Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Boardman. In her role, she spends her days evaluating and treating children and teens with diabetes, endocrine, adrenal and thyroid disorders, including cystic fibrosis, Turner and Cushing’s syndromes.
Melissa’s goal is to be a valuable resource to patients and families by educating them on their chronic disease and helping to reduce its burden on their daily lives. After all, she considers it a win when a patient family leaves their visit with a clear understanding of the disease and treatment plan so kids can quickly get back in the game—whether it’s tennis, tag or conquering the monkey bars.
Why did you choose to come to Akron Children’s?
I chose to come to Akron Children’s to follow my passion of working with pediatric patients in my already loved field of endocrinology.
Describe your role at Akron Children’s and what you hope to accomplish.
I am a nurse practitioner in the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology. I hope to be a resource to patients and families, so they can better understand their endocrinology disease and help make it a bit easier to manage.
Melissa’s family includes their beloved Australian Shepard, Lily.
What is your area of expertise and why did you choose it?
In every area of nursing I ever worked, I always had a special desire to take care of diabetics. As I dove further into endocrinology, I found a love for it all.
When did you decide to become a provider and why?
I decided I wanted to be a provider during nursing school. I had instructors who were nurse practitioners and heavily involved in nursing education. They were amazing mentors and I wanted to be the same for others. While I loved working in nursing education, I found my niche in being a provider that heavily relies on educating patients and treating their disease processes.
What unique or different skills do you have that help you practice medicine?
Not necessarily something unique to me, but I think my experience as an inpatient and Emergency Department nurse has better prepared me to serve as a provider. In my new role, I listen to my patients, get to know them and create a better rapport with them.
What are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to continuing my role as a provider in the pediatric population and learning the differences in pediatrics versus adult endocrinology.
What does success mean to you?
To me, patient success means that the family leaves their visit with a clear treatment plan and better understanding of the disease process than they had when they came in.
When she’s not working, Melissa enjoys time with her family, whether home or away.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up outside of Salem, Ohio.
Who makes up your family, including pets and their names?
My family is made up of myself, my husband, our 2-year-old son, Liam, and our Australian Shepard, Lily.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up, I always wanted to be an astronaut, especially after a family vacation to Florida and a visit to NASA. I was fascinated by it all, especially the distance and time involved in space travel.
What do you do when you aren’t working?
When I am not working, I like to spend time with my husband and son. I also love to play tennis. I played tennis in high school. I played both singles and doubles and really enjoyed it, but I preferred singles.
What was your first paying job?
My first paying job was at a racquet club, a facility with indoor tennis and racquetball courts. I loved working there and did through high school and my first few years of college, until I began my nursing career.
