Melissa began her specialist nursing career in Palliative Care in Sydney in 1987 and moved to Broken Hill in 1989 where she started the local Palliative Care Service. In her nearly 24 years in Broken Hill, Melissa has provided direct and consultative Palliative Care Services and education to many rural and remote communities in the former GWAHS. She has been a passionate advocate for rural and remote palliative care, and her research project topic reflects her interest in rural and remote service provision.