Special to IFN
Melanie Pearson has been named director of the 5 North post‐surgical/orthopedic unit at Iredell Memorial Hospital. She most recently served as the unit’s assistant director.
Pearson is no stranger to the healthcare setting. She began her career in 1998 as a cook at Davis Regional Medical Center, now Iredell Davis Behavioral Health. She later worked in emergency department registration, the switchboard, and phlebotomy before beginning her nursing journey as a CNA, then an LPN, and eventually a registered nurse. Her clinical experience includes med/surg, perioperative services, behavioral health, inpatient rehabilitation, and geriatrics.
She earned her LPN diploma from Surry Community College, her ADN from Catawba Valley Community College, and her BSN, MSN, and MBA from Gardner‐Webb University. Her passion for nursing stems from her love of people.
“I have a big heart for people,” Pearson shared. “It truly is a blessing to be able to help someone else. Kindness and humility are the keys to being successful. Kindness is given freely without the expectation of return, and humility is the ability to listen, grow, and have room for grace, because true greatness never comes from being loud. Albert Einstein said it best: ‘Kindness is the highest form of intelligence.’ Wisdom is not about outsmarting people; it is truly about uplifting them.”
Pearson has frequently been recognized by peers and patients for her dedication to the field. Most recently, in September 2025, she was honored as a Guardian Angel through the Iredell Health Foundation. She was also named Nurse of the Quarter and Employee of the Year in December 2017 at Davis Regional Medical Center.
In her new role, she looks forward to empowering both patients and staff.
“My new role allows me the opportunity to empower people to be the best versions of themselves and to create a work environment filled with positivity. I love Iredell because it feels like a home away from home. The people are amazing, and it is important to me that every team member and patient feels cared for and valued.”
In her free time, Pearson enjoys spending time with her family, traveling—especially to the beach— listening to music, and baking. Her faith is especially important to her.
About Iredell Health System
Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Davis Medical Center; Iredell Davis Behavioral Health Hospital; Iredell Mooresville; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Wellness; Occupational Medicine; the Iredell Physician Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest nonprofit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive healthcare organization has 391 licensed beds; over 2,300 employees; and has approximately 365 healthcare providers representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include Women’s and Children’s; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The health system’s Iredell Mooresville campus is home to the area’s only 24-hour urgent care facility, as well as an ambulatory surgery center, imaging center, rehabilitation services, and physician practices. The mission of Iredell Health System is to inspire wellbeing. For a comprehensive list of services and programs, visit www.iredellhealth.org.