Melanie wears many hats at Integration Station, but her favorite role is helping children thrive. As an occupational therapist, she provides client-centered care to a full caseload of children, partners with families through caregiver education, and supports her colleagues as a lead therapist with weekly team meetings. She also taps into her creative side by managing social media content, celebrating staff and client wins for the whole community to see.

With a doctorate degree from Wingate University and three years of experience as a full-time OT at Integration Station, Melanie is also a Certified Autism Specialist. Her work is fueled by connection—whether it’s watching a child light up when they meet a milestone, seeing friendships blossom between kids in OT, or finding new ways to bring each child’s passions into their sessions. For her, every smile and every small victory is a big win.

Melanie is motivated by kindness, a value she carries into every interaction. She loves the close-knit, supportive environment at Integration Station and describes her coworkers as teammates who truly want to see one another succeed. One of her proudest projects was serving as a Clinical Instructor, where she mentored and encouraged a student to discover her talent and confidence as a pediatric OT—a role that was just as rewarding for Melanie as it was for her student.

Outside of work, Melanie enjoys being outdoors—whether it’s pickleball, volleyball, or long walks. She also loves coloring, baking, and board or card games. A former competitive softball player, she now spends time with her cat, Bootsie, and dreams of one day having the superpower of teleportation so she could instantly transport herself to the beach or the mountains, her favorite places to travel.

Melanie’s story is a reminder of her favorite motto: Always be kind. Her compassion, dedication, and playful energy shine through in everything she does, making her an integral part of the IS family and a joy for the children and families she serves.