Atrium Health
Melissa Ricker received her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from North Carolina State University, her Masters in PA Studies from East Carolina University, and completed the WakeMed Health and Hospital Surgical Trauma Critical Care PA Fellowship. Currently, she is practicing clinically in Pulmonary Critical Care and serves as the PA Fellowship Director of the Atrium Health APP Fellowship. Since assuming the role as PA Fellowship Director in 2018, she has worked closely with co-Director Anne Vail, DNP to maintain the national reputation as the largest, most clinically diverse APP Fellowship in the country. To prepare these professionals to compassionately care for all, recent program additions include adding a diversity, equity, and inclusion curriculum, a formal leadership program, local and international service opportunities, and education/research collaboration with other allied health Resident's at Atrium Health. Melissa also worked closely with the Center for Advanced Practice to demonstrate APP utilization and satisfaction, resulting in Atrium Health being recognized as one of 16 healthcare systems, an Employer of Excellence. Melissa has also worked closely with the North Carolina Academy of PAs and the North Carolina Medical Board to increase awareness to general Fellowship value, which was recently published in the International Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. Melissa has also been active in leadership, education and advocacy throughout her career holding positions such as president of the national Student Academy of PAs, past president of American Academy of Physician Assistants 'PAs in Critical Care', Member at Large on the NC Academy of PAs board of directors, and currently serves as the President of the Association of Postgraduate PA Programs (two terms). Her passions outside of work include traveling, baking, and playing the piano.