Compassion and fun go a long way
Employee Spotlight | Monica Harvey, RN
Monica Harvey, RN, and her team work with more patients every day than any other clinical staff, yet she rarely sees them in person. Since joining Open Door in 2023, Monica has been a triage nurse, responding to patient phone calls and messages about a variety of concerns.
“We get just about everything,” Monica said about the types of calls she answers. “Anything a patient needs between in-person visits with their provider, we handle. Any questions that come up or problems they have, those calls come to us. We pull on all our nursing knowledge and experience to help patients feel less anxious and more reassured.”
Monica was born in Muncie and lived here until age 8. Eventually, she and her family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she earned her nursing degree and started her healthcare career in a pediatrics office. She returned to Muncie three years ago when her mom moved back to town.
It didn’t take long for Monica to settle in at Open Door and take on a leadership position. In addition to answering patient calls, she leads the team of triage nurses, trains new hires, and serves as a clinical resource for Open Door providers and staff. She also contributes to the next generation of nurses by overseeing the health center’s nursing student internships. Under her leadership, the students gain valuable experience in a community health center setting and participate in Open Door’s community engagement efforts, like helping at a Second Harvest Food Bank distribution event.
For her own team, Monica has cultivated a high level of connection and camaraderie by creating a positive, caring, and fun work environment. She is known as a bit of a prankster, and that sense of fun has spread to the entire second floor of the Downtown Muncie health center.
“Healthcare is hard work. We spend a lot of time talking with patients who are sick and aren’t sure what to do,” she said. “We do a lot of education over the phone, and it requires a high level of patience, compassion, and tough skin. It’s very rewarding when patients ‘get it,’ but it’s challenging. The triage nurses rely on each other to get through the tough moments.”
Late last year, Monica was recognized with Open Door’s 2025 Choosing Compassion Award for the care she shows patients and staff. One of her nominators said, “She is always willing to answer my questions without making me feel incompetent or bothersome, and she will help any employee who needed her help. She is a great example of a leader and a teammate.” Other nominators noted her positivity, clinical expertise, thoroughness, and commitment to providing the highest level of care for everyone.
When asked what motivates her to go above and beyond, Monica said she was raised that way. “I just learned to be kind to people. If I can help, I will help. I want my patients and my team members to heard, valued, and supported.”