Melissa graduated from Dalhousie University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, and in 2016, she obtained a master’s degree in healthcare management from McMaster University. In her early career, she worked in private practice in Newfoundland followed by three years working at not-for-profit hospitals in the United States. Once back in Canada, she worked in private practice, including owning and operating her own practice. She worked for a large national company for ten years where she oversaw quality initiatives in the Prairie Provinces and is currently the Director of Operations at the Sport Medicine Centre at the University of Calgary.

Melissa previously served on the Council of the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta from 1999-2003, including serving as secretary-treasurer and President. In addition, she served on the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta Hearing Tribunals (and former Discipline Committee) from 2003 to 2021. Over the past two decades, she has also served on the Diagnostic and Treatment Protocol Regulations working group under the Alberta Government Department of Finance, the PT Advisory Group with the Workers Compensation Board of Alberta, the Health Advisory Council with the former Calgary Health Region, the Map to Motion Governance Committee with the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, and the Governance working group with the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.