Melissa Belle Valdez, MPAS, PA-C

My favorite animated movie is Meet the Robinsons.

My favorite children’s book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

My favorite childhood toys were K’NEX.

Batman! He's a self-made superhero whose primary superpowers include science and technology.

My hobbies and interests include going to Spanky’s Pizza, reading mystery and thriller books, playing with my dogs Empanada and Conchita, drawing portraits, watching movies and anime, enjoying the occasional adult beverage, playing guitar and piano, boxing, and running.

My own pediatrician! He made me and my sisters feel like family and made consults feel more like get-togethers. He seemed to truly enjoy his work and inspired me to seek a similar occupation. I also like working in pediatric primary care because I get to play around and bond with the kids and enjoy watching them grow up. The parents are also incredibly grateful for our assistance, which makes the job even more rewarding.

I try to accommodate my patients as much as I can, oftentimes going out of my way or working on days off to help them. I thoroughly review the differential diagnoses and treatment plan, including explaining the cause of the child's illness or condition. I'm a child at heart so I can easily get along with my younger patients. I'm also a good listener and a big advocate for mental health which I believe helps teenagers feel comfortable with me and are able to open up to me. I am also one of the very few, if not the only provider, in the company who does in-house toenail removals for ingrown toenails!

Each case is patient specific and depends on my supervising physician.