Melissa's Path to Purpose: Substance Use Research at Boston Children’s Hospital
Until the early 1990’s, there were few places youth and their families could go for support in dealing with substance use. The issue came to a head in the greater Boston area when a 19-year-old died in a tragic accident at a quarry in Quincy, Massachusetts while drinking alcohol with friends. Boston Children’s Hospital responded by launching the Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program. Today at Boston Children’s Hospital, UNH Alumna Melissa Brogna ’14, ‘17G focuses on research related to prevention, early intervention, and detection of substance use disorders.
As the first pediatric hospital nationally with an addiction medicine division, Boston Children's Hospital is well-respected, and their expertise influences policy and procedural changes across the country. Melissa's own path to Children's Hospital was serendipitous. While searching for a new job, a position in substance use research at the hospital caught her eye. Despite her own doubts about her readiness for the role, Melissa’s friends encouraged her to apply.
“I had so much respect for the work and the organization, but I was a bit outside of my comfort zone, so I viewed the opportunity as a chance to grow, regardless of the outcome.”
After a series of interviews, she was offered the job, a moment she describes as unforgettable.
Melissa’s journey to becoming the Clinical Research Manager at Boston Children's Hospital is a testament to her dedication to learning and passion for helping others. In her role, she supports the administrative, operational, and scientific aspects of all research within the division. She leads a small team of talented individuals and has the opportunity to collaborate with renowned scientists and clinicians.
Melissa is also part of the division's leadership and quality assurance team, contributing to strategic planning and policy development. By educating that substance use disorder is a disease and speaking from a medical perspective, her division also helps decrease stigma. One of Melissa's significant contributions is a quality improvement project involving Narcan, which has led to universal prescribing for all patients. Knowing that her efforts contribute to such life-saving measures keeps her highly motivated.
“I couldn’t have imagined where my education would take me. My role at Boston Children’s Hospital aligns beautifully with my desire to help others and my passion for research.”
Preparing for Her Career With a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Social Work from UNH
Melissa's education at UNH played a crucial role in preparing her for her current position. While pursuing her B.S. in Psychology at UNH CPS, courses in computer science, brain studies, and abnormal psychology provided her with essential knowledge and skills.
“Abnormal psychology was my favorite class – it taught me the workings of a disordered brain and gave me a depth of understanding of mental health disorders that was necessary for graduate school and my current job.”
Melissa's work also requires extensive collaboration, a skill she honed during her undergraduate and graduate experiences at UNH where she majored in psychology and completed her master’s degree in social work (MSW).
“As an undergrad, I didn’t fully realize that one of the most important outcomes of my courses was the ability to collaborate. By sharing responsibilities and leveraging individual talents, we achieve the best outcomes. These experiences have been invaluable in my current position, where teamwork is essential.”
Teaching, Advising, and Inspiring Future Generations
Melissa advises students aspiring to a career in human services to focus on collaboration, empathy, and continuous learning. For those interested in substance use intervention or research, she emphasizes the importance of understanding the disease model of addiction and the need for innovative approaches to prevention and treatment.
In addition to her role at the Children's Hospital, Melissa is passionate about teaching and mentoring. She teaches at Simmons University and believes in helping her mentees become the best they can be, so they can continue to make a positive impact in the world.
“My professors at the College of Professional Studies were so animated and impactful, I still use the principles I learned from them in how I teach my staff and my students at Simmons.”
As an undergraduate student, Melissa delivered an inspiring class commencement speech in which she emphasized the importance of making change and helping one another, a message she continues to stand by as she looks ahead to furthering research, influencing policy, and reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders.
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