Dr. Susan Salmond, Melissa Mordecai and UMDNJ Trustee Mary Ann Christopher. Mordecai received the Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence. Trustee Christopher's remarks: In 1996, the UMDNJ Board of Trustees established The Stanley S. Bergen, Jr. MD, Medal of Excellence, in honor of the University’s founding president. As president for more than 27 years, Dr. Bergen provided unwavering support for the University’s educational mission and its commitment to the achievement of academic and clinical excellence. Each year, the distinctive, personalized Bergen medal is presented to one graduating student from each of UMDNJ’s eight schools. At the School of Nursing, the medal is presented to master’s degree students who have performed at a high level in their clinical studies, have had notable achievements during their time at UMDNJ, and have demonstrated the high ideals which are traditional to the nursing profession. This year’s recipient is Melissa Mordecai, a January 2010 graduate of Acute Critical Care Nurse Practitioner master’s degree program at the Stratford, New Jersey campus. She is employed as a Nurse Practitioner at Asthma, Allergy & Pulmonary Associates in Philadelphia. Ms. Mordecai has earned three nursing degrees from UMDNJ: her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and now her master’s. She recently helped to establish the School of Nursing Alumni Association, where she serves as vice president. If that were not enough, you could almost say that she “married into the family,” when she tied the knot last year with Russell Mordecai, a student at UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine. In the master’s degree program, Melissa excelled academically and clinically. According to her preceptor,” she consistently demonstrated extraordinary clinical assessment skills and was a highly motivated learner. She quickly earned the trust of physicians and nurse practitioners who frequently commended her insight, critical thinking skills and her assessment documentation.” In addition to the 135 clinical hours that she was required to perform each semester, Melissa Mordecai volunteered extra hours treating patients at UMDNJ’s Camden Community Health Center. She displays great empathy for patients and their families and excels in her ability to work with colleagues. She exemplifies what it is to be a professional nurse and brings honor to the nursing profession. It is my pleasure to present Melissa Mordecai with the Stanley S. Bergen, Jr., MD, Medal of Excellence. Ms. Mordecai, please approach the podium to receive your award.

Jean received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Florida and is certified in IV Therapy. Her expertise is in working one-on-one with patients and managing outcomes across the continuum and supporting all aspects of patient care. During her years as a nurse she has worked in acute care, home care, hospice, wound care clinics and detox. She has always been interested in treating patients to find the underlying causes of their pain or illness rather than just addressing symptoms with drugs. She has pursued education in nutrition and more natural alternatives to help the body heal itself. Jean brings to Novus a caring and nurturing spirit that safeguards and encourages our patients.