Commencement

Joining Northern Light Mercy Hospital in 2008, Melissa Skahan serves as the Vice President, Mission Integration and Support Services. She is responsible for advancing strategy for vulnerable populations in Greater Portland and promoting Northern Light Mercy’s mission, vision, and values throughout the organization. Ms. Skahan also is responsible for behavioral health, support services, primary care, workforce development, communication and marketing, community health, patient experience, ethics, spiritual care, ministry formation, patient advocacy, Gary’s House, McAuley Residence, care management, and Northern Light Mercy’s volunteer program.

Ms. Skahan serves as Vice Chair on Milestone Recovery’s Board of Directors and on the United Way of Greater Portland’s Strategic Council. She was appointed to the Maine’s Continuum of Care Board of Directors to advance statewide resources for persons experiencing homelessness. Ms. Skahan has her Masters in Organization Development and has studied Ethics at the post-graduate level. Melissa embraces fully the notion of servant leadership. Whether patient, family, or colleague, she views each encounter as an opportunity.

With a passion to address complex social issues and the systems that impact vulnerable people, Melissa leads multiple efforts and programs that are high impact and aligned with Northern Light Mercy’s mission and values. In 2023, Melissa led the effort to repurpose a former convent of the Sisters of Mercy to house homeless pregnant women working with the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy, Maine’s Governor’s office, foundations, and ethnic-based community organizations. This effort has resulted in our ability to provide housing and comprehensive services for pregnant and post-partum women welcoming 50 babies since June of 2023.

In 2023, Melissa secured $1M in Congressionally Directed funds to advance workforce development strategy for immigrants that resulted in organizational diversification and no vacancy in entry level roles with multiple career pathways for participants. Entry level roles such as housekeeping have opportunity during their workday to master English skills, complete certifications, and advance to higher education to achieve their dream of practice nursing or serving as a surgical technician.

Melissa redesigned McAuley Residence, a long-standing transitional housing program of the Sisters of Mercy. McAuley is now a state-wide program for families affected by substance use disorder with four locations. Community Housing of Maine, our housing partner has been awarded $16.5M to build four additional locations for McAuley Residence in rural communities that have few resources to serve families affected by substance use disorder. Preconstruction work is underway with projects expected to break ground in 2027.

Prior to joining Northern Light Mercy Hospital, Melissa worked as a public  school administrator and enjoys spending time with her three daughters, four grandchildren, and her husband, Pat.