Dr. Melissa Halverson graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in May 2014 earning both a doctorate in Pharmacy as well as a Master in Public Health. She has lived in central Arkansas since 2004 when her family moved to Little Rock from Suwanee, Georgia, part of the Metro-Atlanta area.
During her time as a dual-degree student at UAMS, she spent many hours volunteering at the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center (a student-run, interprofessional, free clinic). She completed her culminating experience project at the center where she initiated the evaluation of a patient’s health literacy status, which would influence the way the professional students communicate with the patient.
After graduation she accepted an ambulatory care residency position with the UAMS College of Pharmacy with a significant amount of time dedicated to the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center. During her time as a resident she helped the center become a Vaccines for Children provider, implement a patient-centered, interprofessional diabetes education class held at the center, as well as other UAMS clinics, and saw the center provide dental services for the first time.
Dr. Halverson began teaching in the UAMS Physician Assistant Program while earning a teaching certificate as part of the residency program and is excited to continue teaching with the program as a full-time faculty member. Along with teaching responsibilities, she will help coordinate the service learning portion of the curriculum. With her enthusiasm for interprofessional education, Dr. Halverson continues to volunteer at the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center and actively promote interprofessional education on the UAMS campus.