Michele Herndon exemplifies resilience, advocacy and innovation in nursing. Her journey into the profession and her decision to pursue graduate education reflect her lifelong dedication to improving health care systems and patient outcomes.

Originally earning a bachelor’s degree in music, Michele found herself drawn to nursing in her mid-20s as she searched for a profession that allowed her to directly help individuals and families during their most vulnerable moments. With her family’s support, she pursued an associate’s degree in nursing from Jewish College of Nursing, embarking on a career that has been both deeply rewarding and transformative.

She built an 18-year career in pediatric emergency and trauma nursing at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, culminating in five years as manager of the trauma department. Yet even with her success, Michele never stopped seeking opportunities to grow and improve. As she advanced in her career, earning her RN to BSN from the University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing, she realized that her desire to make a broader impact required additional education. “I loved the clinical side of nursing, but I started to see how systems-level changes could make an even greater difference for patients and families,” she explains.

Honoring Mitchell’s Legacy

Her personal life also profoundly shaped her professional and academic pursuits. At age 12, Michele’s son, Mitchell, started experiencing rare and progressive neurological complexities that remained undiagnosed for much of his life. Despite pausing her doctoral academic pursuits during this time, she earned a master’s degree in nursing leadership from Webster University.

Caring for Mitchell provided Michele with a unique perspective on the complexities and challenges families face when navigating health care systems, especially for rare or undiagnosed conditions. “As a mother, I experienced the fear and frustration of not having answers,” Michele shares. “As a nurse, I saw the gaps in care that made it harder for families like mine.” Mitchell’s resilience and spirit inspired Michele to become an advocate for families dealing with similar struggles.

After his passing in 2019, Michele honored his legacy by helping to establish The Mitchell and Friends Foundation. The foundation supports programs and initiatives that assist other children  diagnosed with “Mitchell Syndrome.” Through her and her husband’s work with the foundation, Michele and Matt hope to provide awareness, promote research into treatments and support families who continue to struggle and look for answers.

In addition, Michele resolved once again to pursue her DNP at Mizzou where her research focus on undiagnosed and ultra-rare diseases aligned with her passion as an agent for change. Her coursework and projects within the DNP program explored systemic gaps in care, with one class culminating in a business proposal for an “ultra-rare disease nurse navigator” role—a concept she brought to life through her volunteer work with the Undiagnosed Diseases Network Foundation (UDNF).

Building a Career in Patient Navigation

In 2023, Michele was asked to help create the UDNF’s Patient Navigation Program, made possible through a $2 million grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Under Michele’s direction, the program has created a multidisciplinary team of navigators—including nurses, social workers and patient advocates—that has already supported over 200 patients and families since its launch in March 2024. The program provides resources, guidance and emotional support to individuals navigating the complex health care system, with a focus on addressing the medical trauma and mental health needs of patients and caregivers.

Michele’s work in patient navigation combines operational expertise with a deeply personal mission. She draws on her experience as a trauma nurse and leader to build innovative systems, evaluate program outcomes and advocate for the undiagnosed and ultra-rare disease community. Every day, Michele sees her work as a way to honor her son’s legacy, ensuring that no patient or family feels alone in their journey.

“Building this program and getting it off the ground has been incredibly exciting. But the most meaningful part is that every single day, I get to honor Mitchell and his life. I get to talk about him, tell his story, and share him with the world. It’s the biggest gift—more than just a job, it’s a knowing that his life has impacted thousands, even tens of thousands.”

A Purposeful Journey

When asked what advice she would give to nurses considering graduate education, Michele offers this:

“Find what fuels your passion and lean into it. Life may throw you curveballs, but every challenge you face will shape the kind of nurse and leader you become. Don’t be afraid to do it, even if you feel like you’re too old or too busy. You won’t regret it in the end.”

Michele’s story reminds us that the path to success is rarely linear, but it is always meaningful when guided by purpose. Robin Harris, associate dean for academic affairs, reflects on Michele’s impact: “Michele’s journey to build a new career and purpose from such a devastating loss is truly inspirational. We feel privileged to have been a part of her educational journey, and her work is a testament to the resilience and innovation that define our students.”