News

Longtime Pediatrics nurse retires

By Alyssa Evans, Marketing & Communications Specialist

Denise McLellan has seen the evolution of the CMH Pediatric Clinic, from its creation to now.

Denise has worked as a nurse for 26 years. She retires this week from CMH.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve seen babies now that have come from adolescents that I treated,” Denise says. “Just having that history in Astoria itself has been awesome.”

Denise moved to Astoria in 2000 after her husband was relocated to a local U.S. Coast Guard station. Until March 2021, Denise and Dr. Ramchander “Dr. Ram” Madhavarapu were the longest-tenured employees in CMH’s Pediatric Clinic, as they both had worked there since it opened about 16 years ago. Dr. Ram retired in March 2021.

Denise has been a mentor to many other employees.

“I’m going to miss her so much. She is one of the most important mentors I’ve ever had. I am everything because of her,” says Argelia Mendez, a medical assistant. “I’m really grateful for everything she taught me.”

While at CMH, Denise ran CMH’s Vaccines for Children program, a federal program that provides vaccines for free to children who might not be able to get vaccinated because of costs. Denise also helped coordinate CMH’s first Peds Flu Shot Clinic and the COVID-19 vaccine clinics.

“I want to publicly thank Denise for her years of dedication and service to the Peds Clinic, CMH as a whole and her community. I am grateful for her knowledge and expertise, as well as her commitment to the organization,” says Lizzie Wiedmaier, Pediatric Clinic manager. “Although she will be dearly missed around the clinic, I am so very happy for her future endeavors.”

Over the years, Denise and her family made a home on the coast. Denise’s three sons have grown up in Astoria and started careers of their own. Last year, she welcomed her first grandchild, who is now eight months old.

The Peds Clinic has grown, as well: CMH now has five pediatric providers who care for patients at CMH’s Astoria, Seaside and Warrenton Clinics.

Throughout her career, Denise has focused on building rapport with not only the children she cared for, but the parents, too. She believes that parents are “just as much of a patient as the child is,” and that it’s important to understand and empathize with how both parents and children are feeling during an appointment.

“Denise has been a mainstay in the Pediatric Clinic since its inception. I have always appreciated her can-do attitude,” says Jeanette Schacher, director of CMH Medical Group. “Her presence within the Pediatric Clinic and CMH as a whole will be greatly missed.”

In retirement, Denise looks forward to spending more time with her family and traveling.

“I was a little older when I decided to be a nurse. My oldest was three years old when I started nursing school. They’re all excited that Mom’s going to take some time to be who I want to be,” Denise says.

Congratulations on your retirement and thank you, Denise!