Melissa Edwards, MD, MHA
April 30, 2026
I’m thrilled to be here in Helena and to join all of you as the new Chief Medical Officer at St. Peter’s Health. It has been a joy to meet so many team members already, and I would be remiss not to give a shoutout to our onboarding team who did a wonderful job orienting my cohort of new employees to life at St. Peter’s.
From the moment I arrived, I’ve been struck by the warmth, professionalism, and mutual respect among our leadership team, physicians, and other team members. It’s clear that the mission of serving every patient, every person, every time is alive in everything you do, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
A little about me: I’m a board-certified OB/GYN and surgeon, and throughout my career I’ve worked in both hospital and outpatient settings. I’ve been fortunate to serve in leadership roles where I could help support care teams, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen health system operations. My partner Bryce and I are excited to make Montana our home, along with our two dogs. We look forward to exploring more of this beautiful state.
To help you get to know me better, I was asked to prepare a few answers to the questions below. Again, I’m excited to be here, to learn from all of you, and to work together to continue providing exceptional care to our patients and community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and introduce yourself as I make my rounds in the coming weeks! I look forward to meeting you.
Q: Why did you go into medicine?
I often say that I didn’t choose medicine, it chose me. I had a deep knowing, from a very young age, that I would be a physician someday. No one in my family had graduated from a 4-year college, but with the unwavering support of my parents I knew I could make it happen. Little did I know how incredibly rewarding and personally gratifying the work would be. It has been my honor to serve patients individually through my clinical practice and as a community in my role as a physician leader.
Q: What is one thing you want your team members to know about your approach to leadership?
I see my leadership role as one of service - service to the physicians and clinicians who care for our patients, service to the Helena community, and service to the mission of St. Peter’s Health. Balancing those three priorities can be challenging, especially when they may appear to be in tension with one another. It is my goal to navigate those challenges with respect, transparency, and humility.
Q: Since arriving, what has stood out to you about St. Peter’s Heath, our patients, and our community?
I am struck by the warmth and mutual respect of the members of the leadership team and physicians I have met thus far. It is clear that they are living the mission and values of St. Peter’s every day. I look forward to meeting patients and getting to know the broader community in the coming months.
Q: What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m not sure how surprising it is, but I am equally comfortable and content in my kitchen baking a great batch of cookies as I am hiking some pretty rugged terrain. A perfect weekend includes both.
Q: What does “Every Patient, Every Person, Every Time” mean to you and how do you plan to implement this vision in your everyday work?
For me, in my personal practice, it means slowing down and recognizing the needs of others, whether it’s stopping to help a patient find their way or waiting for others to share their thoughts before providing my own. As a surgeon, moving slowly doesn’t come naturally, but through yoga and other mindfulness practices, I work hard to counter my natural inclination to move quickly. I am very much a work in progress!
Warmly,
Melissa Edwards, MD, MHA
Chief Medical Officer, St. Peter’s Health
