This week’s Responder of the Week is Melanie Jane Ledesma, a dedicated nurse whose heart for service has shaped nearly a decade of care in Grant County.
Melanie has been a nurse for eight years and has lived in Ulysses for most of her life. After graduating from Wichita State University’s nursing program, she returned home to serve the community she grew up in. She is married to Slick Ledesma and is the proud mother of two children, Braxton and Presley.
Today, Melanie works as an ER nurse at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital, though she has also served in OB and medical units. She speaks with deep pride about working in our small community hospital, a place where she knows the people she cares for—and the people working beside her.
“We may have a small hospital but a great work family,” she shared. “When anything critical walks through our ER doors, all the staff is called in. With a push of a button, they respond quickly and are here to help.”
Having also worked in large city hospitals, Melanie knows this kind of unity is rare. “It’s unusual to have such a supportive and close-knit work family,” she said. “We spend 40–50 hours a week with each other—sometimes more than we see our own family. We get to work when it’s dark and leave when it’s dark. We often miss out on birthdays, holidays, and other fun because we operate 24/7, but I’m happy to be here and love what I do.”
When asked who inspired her to pursue nursing, Melanie didn’t hesitate. Her greatest motivators, she said, were her parents, Dennis and Gejuan Martin. Her mother, who passed away three years ago, was her biggest fan and remains a guiding influence in her life and career.
Melanie’s devotion to her community, her coworkers, and the patients who rely on her every day makes her a powerful example of dedication in rural healthcare. The Ulysses News is proud to highlight her service and commitment as this week’s Responder of the Week.
Send your medical or law enforcement nominations for Responder of the Week to news2@ulyssesnews.com or call (620) 356-1201.
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