Black History Month: Nichelle Bussey

Legacy in Motion: Nichelle Bussey

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and inspire the future.

Aligned with the 2025 national Black History Month theme, "African Americans and Labor," our "Legacy in Motion" campaign explores the profound ways that work – in all its forms – intersects with the collective experiences of the Black community. From skilled and unskilled labor to vocational and voluntary work, Black contributions have shaped organizations, communities, and history.

As part of this campaign, we're honoring the journeys of long-term Black Legacy employees who share stories of perseverance, growth, and impact. Through their journeys, we celebrate Black history in action, recognizing that their work is not just a job but a lasting contribution to our organization.

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Nichelle Bussey is the manager of Legacy Medical Group’s Emanuel Internal Medicine Clinic. Although this is where she has been for the past 16 years, Nichelle’s story began 35 years ago when her introduction to Legacy began with her initiative and desire to be of service and help to people.

She specifically wanted to work in pediatrics or the neonatal intensive care unit. Nichelle followed her heart, which led her to becoming a Candy striper in 1986 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. This was only the beginning.

Little did Nichelle know that she would be suddenly thrown into a deeper understanding and the workings of the very area of interest she was following, in a personal and up-close manner.

“I was brought to Emanuel hospital when I was giving birth to my daughter prematurely,” Nichelle said. “She weighed 2 pounds, 10 ounces and was placed in the NICU. I was amazed to see the level of care they gave my daughter. My newborn child and I had needs and the nurses and doctors stood and reached across the gap to meet our needs. It allowed me to see the other side of the NICU and made me realize that this was where I wanted to work.”

Nichelle recently spoke to us about her journey at Legacy, her view of Black History Month and her advice for someone thinking about joining Legacy.

Can you share your journey at Legacy Health and how your role has evolved over the years?

I started at Emanuel in 1990 working in the emergency room as a technician. Within a span of 19 years, I worked as a clerk in medical records, patient access and admitting where I worked for some time before I secured the position at the Legacy Medical Group Emanuel Internal Medicine Clinic as the supervisor. I held this position for a year when the opportunity to be the interim manager was made available to me. This eventually led me to the manager position that I currently hold.

How did you become involved in the BERG and what do you get from it?

I joined when it first started. Like most people, I want to belong, be a part of and feel like there is commonality between me and my peers. When I am in the BERG meetings, I have a sense of acceptance. I am able to talk to people and feel understood, without worry or fear about how what I say will be taken and received. I can say what’s on my mind because we can relate to each other. I can’t always attend events outside of work, but I make every attempt to go when I can. It is refreshing to be around people that no matter what you do or say, it will not be frowned upon.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black History Month means a great deal to me. Looking back at my family history through the eyes and stories of my dad, mom, great grandparents and the numerous relatives that came before me, I have connected their stories and experiences as they have influenced my work ethic from the moment I started work and still to this day.

My dad always said, no matter what you do, you need to always be yourself, and when you go to work, you’re going because you want to be there. His philosophy is you never call in sick unless you’re on your deathbed. I have carried this with me throughout my career and I take pride in knowing that I show up every day and do not call out sick.

When my dad was working, he said his boss would often say, you’re a good manager, I can tell you that, but I cannot recognize and make that public. So, it was always hidden. I believe this is one of the things that would prompt my dad to say, you’re going to have to work harder than everyone else.

Being able to look back at my father’s work history and my own and see where we were and where we are now, I believe some things have gotten better. It’s good to see that Black History Month is recognized.

How do you think the contributions of black labor, historically and currently, have shaped industries like health care?

In the healthcare industry, it is not much different than any other job, historically. People of color have typically taken the jobs that no one else wanted. Even today as we work hard in the roles that we are able to secure, we want to move up into higher levels and areas. However, you rarely see people of color, especially obviously black employees in those higher up positions.

When I look at and visit other industries I see the same barriers. We are so capable of so much more. Years ago, there were a lot of talented people including physicians and nurses who were banned from practicing in some places. Today you see physicians of color practicing throughout our healthcare systems.

How has your identity as a black professional shaped your experiences in the workplace?

It has shaped me in tons of ways. I will say, I owe a lot of my success, determination and patience to God. I would also include my two previous managers, Yolanda Meno and Maryna Thompson. They saw something in me, they saw me for me and not just the color of my skin. Someone told me once after I had been hired, that I was being watched to determine if I could be a representative and face of admitting. Yolanda taught me a lot and under her guidance I continued to grow. When I came over to LMG group, Maryna took me under her wing. The skills and knowledge I learned under her tutelage shaped me further into the person I am today. She told me she was going to teach me as if tomorrow was her last day.

These two women are the type of people we need in upper management and higher positions. They saw me for who I am, my heart, ambition and potential, not the shell that carries me, my skin color and the layers the world has placed on me. I am truly appreciative of the lessons they taught me daily.

What advice would you give to someone starting their career in health care or considering joining Legacy?

If they are going to be in health care, it’s going to be like climbing a mountain. When they have their mind set on something they need to be prepared. There will be some who support them, and there will a lot of no’s. Be patient. When the right person and circumstance come along, they will get a yes.

Are there any projects or moments you’re especially proud of during your time here?

There are several staff members I have taken under my wing, as was done for me in the past. It’s almost a maternal role I have taken with them. I encourage them to do what their hearts desire. I tell them, Whatever goal you want to achieve, achieve it regardless of whatever obstacle is thrown in front of you.

There are a couple of quotes I live by. One of them is from Maya Angelou.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will ever forget how you made them feel.” I always live by that.