Celebrating Black History Month with Mellisa Nhau, Physician Associate in Cardiology

Throughout Black History Month, we're celebrating the achievements and contributions of colleagues across our Trust. As part of her role, Mellisa works with the multidisciplinary team to deliver compassionate care to patients in Cardiology.

Hello, my name is Mellisa Nhau, I'm a Physician Associate in Cardiology on Gate 31, Pinderfields Hospital.

I am from Zimbabwe, I was born in Harare. I moved to England to live with my siblings when I was 13 years old in 2006, my parents still live in England. Navigating through life in a new country at a young age without my parents was extremely hard but I knew I had to work hard and make the most of the opportunities and also in order to look after my parents and some of my family members.

Initially I went to university to study sports therapy, afterwards, I worked for the YMCA as a sports coach and a youth mentor. I then decided to go back to university to study my Postgraduate in Physician Associate Studies.

I am proud to have completed my education and to have a great job in the NHS doing what I love.

I worked in Trauma and Orthopaedics as my first job as a Physician Associate and then I moved to Mid Yorkshire as I was attracted to the rotational job in medicine that was offered.

One of my proudest moments working at Mid Yorkshire was having the opportunity to take part in a research Study, ‘Clinical outcomes and treatment-related adverse events to tocilizumab in SARS-CoV-2 illness’ which went on to be published by the British Thoracic Society. Also working in the NHS during the pandemic was a great honour and felt proud to have been part of the team providing care.

Mellisa Nhau My role as a Physician Associate is mostly ward based with one morning a week in OP clinic. We work with the medical team to deliver care for patients, and as such we have been able to work on the ward with consultants to review patients and come up with management plans. This also involves following up on the jobs from the ward round for example clinical skills, diagnosis, history taking, referral to other specialties, administration work and completing discharge letters. We have also been involved in leaning clinical procedures such as lumbar puncture, paracentesis, USS guided cannulation and Cardioversion.

We completed an 18 month rotational job and now we have permanent jobs in different specialties including Cardiology, Respiratory medicine, Elderly medicine, Gastroenterology, Haematology and Diabetes and Endocrine. By working in a chosen specialty it opens up doors for us to grow and cultivate specific skills within the departments and attend outpatient clinics.

Our role is quite versatile and can be moulded into the needs of the Trust and department which I believe is a huge advantage.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story this Black History Month.