Melissa Lynne Cheeks

Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing teaching graduate leadership courses. Nationally recognized leader in nurse-led innovation and first named professor of innovation at the College. Dual-hatted as Director of Nursing Innovation and Program Director, Nurse-Led Innovation Certificate Program. Developed and implemented a strategic vision for innovation that aligns with the College’s goals. Established the College’s first innovation advisory board comprised of leadership stakeholders from industry, health care systems, and the broader community. Created organizational partnerships for innovation with health systems and industry to promote program growth. Created and launched the Annual Joan and Mark Hurray Visiting Professor Lectureship Series on Nurse-Led Innovation and CNO Roundtable program in 2024 to enhance the College’s value proposition as the regional innovation academic partner of choice. Developed and launched the College’s quarterly innovation webinar series to advance nursing innovation education and leadership nationally. Invited inaugural member of the American Nurses Association (ANA) NEIL (Nurse Educators + Innovation Leaders) Forum designed to cultivate the next generation of nursing leaders and drive advancements in nursing innovation education and clinical practice (ANA, 2025). Created and launched the College’s post-baccalaureate certificate in nurse-led innovation including development of program outcomes and requiring university system level approval. Areas of interest include innovation methodologies (e.g., design thinking, systematic inventive thinking, bio-design, jobs-to-be-done), nurse-led innovation, nurse workforce issues, and policy barriers to advancing nurse-led innovation within health systems..

Doctor of Nursing Practice: Duke University School of Nursing Durham, NC, 2020 (Executive Leadership)

Specialty Certificate: Duke University School of Nursing Durham, NC, 2020 (Nursing Education)

Master of Science in Nursing: Duke University School of Nursing Durham, NC, 2015 (Healthcare Leadership)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2005

Diploma in Nursing: The Christ Hospital School of Nursing Cincinnati, OH, 1997