Healthpointe Welcomes Dr. Melanie Major!
Dr. Melanie Major is a fellowship-trained plastic hand and peripheral nerve surgeon. She is dedicated to providing expert, compassionate care to patients with conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and forearm. In addition to hand surgery, Dr. Major performs all aspects of general plastic surgery, including craniofacial trauma, scar revisions, and functional reconstruction. She also treats soft tissue conditions around the elbow, such as cubital tunnel and lateral epicondylitis. We are thrilled to welcome her as an addition to our team here at Healthpointe as part of our Hand Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive surgery departments.
Passion For the Craft
“I decided to become a doctor because I wanted my work to have a more direct and personal impact on patient’s lives,” says Dr. Major. Her passion for medicine is fueled by a desire to help others, and to improve the lives of people dealing with uncertainty and pain. “Before medicine, I worked as an engineer at a biotech company. While that work was intellectually rewarding, I often felt removed from the individuals who would benefit from our work.”
“I realized I wanted to be on the front lines and use my skills to make a tangible difference in someone’s life. My favorite part of being a doctor, and specifically a reconstructive surgeon, is the ability to restore both form and function. There is something deeply rewarding about helping patients regain use of their hand after injury or surgery. In hand surgery, even small changes can make an enormous difference in someone’s ability to live, work, and do the things they love.”
Educational Experience
Dr. Major received her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Stanford University. She then received her medical degree from John Hopkins School of Medicine, in Baltimore, MD. She completed her residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the integrated Johns Hopkins University of Maryland program, where she received the prestigious Frank L. Coulson Jr. Award for Clinical Excellence. She then completed her orthopedic Hand Surgery Fellowship at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. While in residency, she had the opportunity to work at the FDA for a year. While at the FDA, she served as a clinical reviewer of general and plastic surgery devices. Her research has been focused on surgical outcomes and education.
Home Sweet Home
Dr. Major is particularly happy to be back home in Southern California to serve her community closer to home. “I grew up in Carlsbad, but have lived on the east coast and Midwest for training. I’m excited to serve patients in an area close to where I grew up.” Outside of work, her number one priorities are her health and her family. “In my free time, I enjoy swimming, cooking, and exploring new places with my husband and daughter.”
With over a decade of research experience and numerous peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Major is committed to advancing the field of plastic surgery and hand surgery. She is devoted to improving patient’s outcomes through evidence-based care and surgical innovation. Dr. Major is dedicated to educating the next generation of hand surgeons, and serves as a candidate member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, as well as the American Association for Hand Surgery.
We are proud to welcome Dr. Major to Healthpointe’s Hand Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive surgery departments. Fueled by her experience and passion for her patients, Dr. Major is there help you when you need it the most.
If you or a loved one are suffering from severe physiological issues, book an appointment with Healthpointe today. To schedule a visit with Dr. Major and the other specialists on our extensive roster of healthcare professionals, please visit our website at this link or text us at 1 (714) 367-5390.
Check out some of our other physicians we have highlighted in the past: Provider Spotlight Articles