Why I chose to pursue a career in healthcare:

As I was growing up, I always wanted a career where I could continue my lifelong love of learning and work with people. I had great examples in my parents, who both worked in the medical field. With my love of people, science, and math, medicine was the perfect fit.

What I want my patients to know about me:

I grew up right here in Ephrata. I earned my bachelor's degree from Bucknell University-Go Bison! I then spent nine months selling coats at Donecker's and working as a home health aid for VNA-both jobs taught me a lot about how to treat people. I earned my MD from the University of Pittsburgh where I fell in love with the elderly patients at the VA hospital and made the choice to become an internist. I completed my Internal Medicine residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Finally, I joined my father, Dr. Mellinger, along with Drs. Chon, Loretan, and Mallozzi in practice in 2002.

What I do when I'm not seeing patients:

I have a wonderful husband and two amazing boys who I love to spend time with when I'm not working. I enjoy running, reading, playing sports and games with my family, waterskiing on the Chesapeake Bay, and getting in a rare game of tennis. We are very active supporting our children's activities including school, sports, music, and youth group. Also, I am active in women's Bible study and a "Run For God" club through our church, the First United Methodist Church in Ephrata.