January Alumni Spotlight: Melissa Archer ‘00
Name: Melissa Archer, PMHNP-BC, MSN, BSN
Grad Year: 2000
Program: Nursing
Title: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, SENSES Medical Wellness, PLLC
Originally published January 21, 2021 — Updated September 2024
In Her Own Words:
Like many high school graduates, I attended college with aspirations. I had hoped to become a physician, join the military and travel the world. However, the universe had different plans and I ended up a divorced mother of two wonderful daughters. Although, I did join the military and went to college, my other aspirations were on hold.
While working a factory job and living paycheck to paycheck, one day I heard about Trocaire College on the radio. Nursing seemed like an interesting avenue to explore, and I would finally be able to enter the medical profession and help people. I wondered how I would juggle being an active parent, paying bills, and complete this RN program, but took a leap of faith and jumped right in!
Luckily, Sister Marian Mullen, the Dean of Students at the time, was there to help me every step of the way. She was such a support, and it was a turning point in my life. Sister Marian took the time to listen and encouraged me to apply for scholarship support. As a single mom, the scholarship I earned and the family-like atmosphere at Trocaire helped me excel and complete the RN program.
The clinical instructors I worked with thoroughly prepared me for real-life nursing. Throughout my two-decade career as a RN, I could always tell who a Trocaire graduate was—they have compassion down to a science. After Trocaire, I earned my BSN and MSN & currently practice as a Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at SENSES Medical Wellness, PLLC at 360 Genesee Street (on the corner of Genesee and Hickory St.), my family’s medical practice on the Eastside of Buffalo. It’s surreal to go from such humble beginnings, and not only succeed but come back to the same street I grew up on and help others do the same! My goal is to be a change agent in everything I do, while also highlighting the importance of mental health. In doing so, others will be helped to find the best versions of their selves, their families and their communities.
To this end, I lead a 21 person FEMA funded Crisis Counseling Program helping Erie County residents, primarily in the inner city mentally and emotionally cope with the fallout of COVID and then the TOPS massacre on 5/14/2022. Additionally, I worked as a maternal/fetal community education specialist and taught parenting classes and educational seminars, helping parents dealing with challenging circumstances
Additionally, in 2023, I co-founded and is the lead consultant for the Black Women’s Wellness Village of Buffalo, whose mission is to address health inequities for women of color through a radical reimagining of the healthcare experience. by listening and using their voices to advocate, educate and ultimately open a wellness center for women.
Melissa is a US. Army National Guard veteran and has been awarded numerous awards and accolades. Most recently the Black Achievers Award, Distinguished Trocaire Alumni Award & NAACP Presidential Award. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, an international honor nursing society and a current scholar participant of Sigma’s Virtual Mini-Academy: Global Advocacy
She is a board member of Mental Health Advocates of WNY, Crisis Services, Mount Mercy Board of Trustees and Women’s Health Broadcast Board. She is an Open Buffalo Emerging Leader Graduate and on the advisory board. She is the Vice President of the Buffalo Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc.
Thinking back over 20 years ago, Melissa states, “I never would have imagined a Trocaire commercial would have so positively transformed my life. My advice to anyone looking for a better life or career change: look no further than Trocaire. No matter your focus, do it and now! For those of you already working or new to your profession, do self-care every day and make sure your physical and mental health are healthy. Especially during these challenging times of a pandemic and political and social unrest. It is important to check in, so we don’t check out!” Trocaire means everything to me—it is where my start began. My education gave me the personal fortitude, voice, and confidence to make a better life for me and my family. I will always carry on Trocaire’s Mercy values in everything I do and hope to serve as inspiration for the next generation of healthcare professionals.”