Melissa Edwards is a highly respected physician leader known for her ability to create innovative solutions by engendering trust and cooperation between clinicians and healthcare executives. Her leadership style is rooted in collaboration and transparency and is characterized by curiosity, humor, and pragmatism. She possesses a breadth of experience in healthcare strategy, ambulatory and acute-care operations, and clinical quality, informed by more than 25 years as a business owner and healthcare executive.

Melissa served for over ten years as President of NW Specialty Clinics, where she was instrumental in building one of the first Clinically Integrated Networks in the region. She is the Chief Medical Officer of an approximately 1200-member medical group. She previously served as surgical CMO at a 386-bed regional referral center with a level II trauma center. She also serves as system Medical Director of Women’s Services, leading strategic growth and quality improvement at six facilities in 3 states.

Melissa completed her medical training at Oregon Health Sciences University, where she also completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She spent 25 years in private practice specializing in pelvic reconstructive surgery. She completed her MHA through the University of Scranton and received a BA in Biochemistry from the University of Oregon.

Melissa shares her life with her partner, Bryce, and their two doodle mixes, Weldon and Jasper. They enjoy remaining active and spend much of their free time exploring the beauty of the Pacific NW through skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and kayaking. They share an appreciation of live music events, college football, and long road trips.