School of Nursing’s Haas chosen for ‘40 Under 40’ list

Buffalo Business First has spotlighted another School of Nursing administrator for their educational and community leadership. Melinda Haas, the school’s assistant dean for undergraduate programs and clinical assistant professor, made the publication’s 40 Under 40 list this year.

The same news organization this summer selected Dean Annette Wysocki among its top 25 Women of Influence. Wysocki was the only person from UB chosen by Buffalo Business First among this year’s honorees. She was also the first UB official or educator chosen in the newspaper’s annual selection since Hadar Borden was selected in 2021.

At 38 years old, Haas earned recognition as an outstanding nurse practitioner, educator and administrator. Only a small percentage of university faculty members will achieve the rank of assistant dean, according to the nomination before the 40 Under 40 selection committee.

“Thus, it is exceptional that Haas earned this rank by age 40,” according to the nomination. “As assistant dean of undergraduate programs, Haas is a vital leader at the UB School of Nursing. She ensures that all three of our undergraduate programs meet the highest curricular and clinical standards based upon the latest advancements in nursing research — preparing graduates to thrive in diverse health care settings.”

Haas is currently a family nurse practitioner at East Aurora Pediatrics. In addition to her clinical, teaching and administrative responsibilities, she is in the process of earning her PhD in UB’s information science program.

Her pursuit of a second doctorate was called “an incredible feat at any age.”

“Having earned a Doctor of Nursing practice at age 30 in our family nurse practitioner program, it is incredible that Haas is on track to earn a second doctorate, a PhD in information science, by age 40,” her nominator wrote.

Some of Haas’ honors and awards include the 2024 Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Western New York, the 2020 Mecca S. Cranley Award for Excellence in Teaching from the UB School of Nursing, and the 2020 Ellen Volpe Memorial Award for faculty posters from the UB School of Nursing for her research on contraceptive counseling for adolescents in pediatric primary care practices in Western New York.

Haas is also a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, WNY National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

This year's 40 Under 40 winners will be celebrated at a luncheon Nov. 14 at the Hyatt Regency sponsored by Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union.