Melissa Ann Fry

Upon graduating high school, Melissa Ann Fry, MSW, APSW initially pursued the field of physical therapy and began working as a resident services assistant for Ingleside Nursing Home. During this period, she assisted residents in meeting their nutritional and fluid needs, communicated effectively with staff and demonstrated proper use of infection control techniques. Subsequently, Ms. Fry chose to pivot her focus to social work and went on to earn a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1997 and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan in 1998.

In the early years of her career, Ms. Fry served Bethany Lutheran Homes and the Visiting Nurses Association of Southeast Michigan as an intern. In 1998, she joined the Mile Bluff Medical Center as the director of social services, in which she provided discharge planning for patients in acute care and nursing home settings, offered assistance completing advance medical directives and identified community resources needed on behalf of the patient though 2009.

Ms. Fry currently excels as a social worker with Mile Bluff Medical Center. In this capacity, she works with patients and their families in the hospital on safe discharge plans and assists patients through the complexities of living with the diseases that require dialysis. For her thorough work and success, Ms. Fry was the recipient of a Merit Award through the Council of Nephrology Social Workers. She attributes her success to her appreciation to conduct work in diverse areas of social work.

As an advanced practice social worker, Ms. Fry has served as a presenter at several institutions regarding such topics as traveling while on dialysis, anxiety reduction techniques, addressing mental health in the dialysis unit and communicating with people living with dementia. Outside of her work, she supports the National Kidney Foundation and the local food pantry network in Wisconsin. Looking toward the future, Ms. Fry intends to experience the continued success of her career. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, hiking, photography and cooking.