Melvin Cole, cardiac transporter, UPMC Shadyside, doesn’t think of himself as extraordinary. A man of modesty, he often downplays his talents, whether it’s playing the piano in the halls of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center or providing key support for patients in his role at UPMC Shadyside. But to those who know him, Melvin is more than just a co-worker or a hospital employee — he is a source of light in their lives.
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Melvin’s life has always been interwoven with challenges, resilience, and a deep connection to music. Raised by his grandparents in a household steeped in the traditions of the Southern Baptist Church, music became an integral part of his upbringing.
“Church was everything,” he recalls. “We had choir rehearsals, Bible study, Sunday service — it was a way of life. And music was always there.”
It was in this environment that Melvin first learned to play piano. Encouraged (and sometimes challenged) by his cousins, who were talented musicians themselves, he slowly developed a skill that would later become a source of solace — not just for himself, but for others.
A Journey of Resilience
Melvin’s path to his current role with UPMC wasn’t easy. After spending years driving forklifts across the country, living out of hotels and flights, he found himself stranded in Pittsburgh when an assignment ended unexpectedly. With no place to go, he stayed in a shelter near UPMC Shadyside and eventually found a job in the transport department.
Despite the hardships, Melvin’s compassion and empathy shone through. He quickly became known for his humor and kindness, often sharing jokes or funny YouTube videos with co-workers to lighten the mood. It’s important, if not always easy, when the work isn’t always light.
“What we do can be really heavy,” he admits. “Sometimes I lose sleep thinking about the patients.”
Melvin has formed lasting connections with many of the people he’s helped, even attending funerals for some.
“It’s not a normal job,” he notes. “When someone is going through the hardest time of their life, the least I can do is treat them with empathy.”
Finding Solace in Music
One of Melvin’s most unique contributions to the Shadyside campus is his music. Almost serendipitously, he began playing the piano at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, adjacent to UPMC Shadyside, offering soothing melodies to patients and staff.
“I don’t think I’m that good,” he says with a laugh. “I’m a drummer at heart. The piano is just something I picked up so I could fill in during church services.”
But the impact of his music speaks for itself. Patients stop to listen, staff offer compliments, and some even suggest he put out a tip jar — a suggestion he quickly dismisses with a chuckle. For Melvin, it’s not about recognition.
“I do it because I love it,” he says simply. “If it eases someone’s spirit, that’s enough for me.”
A Heart for Healing
Melvin’s connection to the hospital goes beyond his job title. He feels deeply for the patients, especially those who are afraid.
“I had a patient today, she was so scared, shaking,” he recently shared. “I prayed with her and talked her through it. Seeing her calm down — it’s moments like that that make it all worth it.”
His approach earns him recognition all around, even if that’s not his goal.
“He gets a lot of accolades from the patients, he has really great bedside manner, people send him cards, and he recently won an Above and Beyond award for his exceptional care,” says Kristie Bell, director, Transportation Services, UPMC Shadyside.
Nicole Hatcher, manager, Transportation Services explains his bond with the patients: “Melvin is a gem on our team and often requested personally by the patients he serves. It’s something you don’t see a lot of, but that’s what is special — his presence. “
These moments are rooted in Melvin’s own experiences. Having grown up around illness and loss, he knows the importance of compassion. His grandmother, who raised him, suffered multiple health issues, including a stroke and cancer.
“I’ve been around so much sickness and death,” he reflects. “It’s taught me to be there for people when they need it most.”
Looking Ahead
Melvin dreams of combining his love for music with his passion for helping others. He’s been exploring the field of music therapy, fascinated by how music can heal not just the body but the soul.
“Music is universal,” he says. “It can bring people together and make them feel good, even for a moment.”
For now, Melvin is committed to his role at UPMC Shadyside, surrounded by a work family that has shown him compassion and support when he needed it most.
“I don’t have family here [in Pittsburgh], but my coworkers have become my family,” he says. “They’ve stood by me during the toughest times, and I’m forever grateful.”
In a hospital where patients face some of life’s greatest challenges, Melvin Cole is a beacon of hope. Whether through his laughter, his empathy, or the soft melodies of his piano, he reminds everyone around him that even in the darkest times, there is light in other people.
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