Melissa Deister | 20 Under 40
Melissa Deister
Nurse Practitioner
The Refinery Medical Aesthetics
Melissa Deister, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at The Refinery Medical Aesthetics in Topeka, specializing in functional medicine, hormone optimization and medical aesthetics. Before earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Kansas Medical Center, Melissa spent eight years as a registered nurse in acute and post-surgical care at Stormont Vail Health. She is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Emporia State University.
Outside of work, Melissa’s favorite role is mom and stepmom to a blended family of eight children with her husband, Jake. She enjoys traveling and hiking and hopes to make an impact on Topeka one conversation at a time.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you? Tell us a little more about it.
People are usually surprised to learn that I’m a mom and stepmom to eight kids! My husband and I have a blended family, and there is rarely a dull or quiet moment in our home. Balancing a big family with two demanding careers definitely takes teamwork, organization, and a sense of humor. It can be beautifully chaotic, but being part of such a big family is one of my favorite parts of my life and a huge part of who I am outside of work.
What values guide the decisions you make? Why are those values important to you?
Integrity, compassion, hard work, and service. I want to be someone who does the right thing even when no one is watching, treats people with genuine kindness, and contribute to the community around me. Those values guide the way I care for my patients, raise my family, and show up in my community. I also want our kids to see that leadership isn’t about a title --it’s about being willing to serve, being a part of something bigger than themselves, and demonstrate love even in the smallest of actions.
What impact do you hope to make through your work?
One conversation at a time.
I don’t think impact always has to happen on a large scale. Sometimes it happens sitting across from one person and helping them understand their health differently for the first time. If a conversation with me causes someone to ask better questions, advocate for themselves, make one healthier choice, or feel hopeful about their health again, that matters.
Over time, those conversations extend beyond the individual. People take what they learn home to their families, share it with friends, and bring it into the community. If I can help create a community of people who feel more informed, empowered, and proactive about their health -one conversation at a time- that is the impact I hope to make.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in your field?
Stay curious, stay humble, and don’t be afraid to take the path that doesn’t look exactly like everyone else’s.
Healthcare will teach you very quickly that you will never know everything, and I think that’s a good thing. Ask questions. Find great mentors. Keep learning. Be willing to change your mind when new information challenges what you thought you knew.
But most importantly, don’t become so focused on building a career or just going through the motions that you forget why you chose it. People may not remember every recommendation you gave them, but they will remember whether you listened, whether you cared, and how you made them feel. Knowledge will make you a better clinician, but heart is what makes you someone people trust.
What’s a hobby you wish you had more time for? What do you enjoy about it?
Golf! I love being outside, slowing down for a few hours, and spending that time with my husband and our kids. With a family as big and busy as ours, I really appreciate activities that give us uninterrupted time together. I also love that golf is something you never completely master -there is always something to work on, which probably appeals to my personality more than I’d like to admit. And, if I’m being completely transparent, I also really enjoy the cute golf outfits. Sometimes that’s half the fun!
What’s something you could talk about for hours? What makes it so interesting to you?
Love stories. I’m a complete sucker for hearing how people met, when they knew, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and all the little details that make their story uniquely theirs. I especially love hearing about couples who have built a life together through different seasons and can look back and tell you what kept them choosing each other. I think there’s something really special about hearing how two lives crossed at just the right time, and I will happily ask a million follow-up questions!
