Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH - Associate Program Director

Melissa Ruiz, MD, MPH (Associate Program Director)

Originally from Southern California, Dr. Ruiz spent time on the East Coast and Midwest for her training. After coming to her senses and to escape the snow, she returned to California and gained experience in various practice models and in residency education during her time in the Southern California Community Pediatric Fellowship. With eight years as a primary care pediatrician for medically-complex children in Ventura, Melissa now serves as the Associate Program Director at Cottage Pediatric Residency and directs the ambulatory rotation at Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics - Goleta site. Melissa is also actively involved with the AAP, serving on the board of directors for AAP California Chapter 2 for the past eight years. Outside of medicine, she enjoys surfing with her oldest son, watching her middle son play baseball, giggling with her youngest, and starting the day with a 5 a.m. gym session with her husband (because sleep is overrated).

Education

  • Medical School: Columbia University, New York, NY
  • Residency and Master's in Public Health: University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
  • Fellowship: Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Community Pediatrics, Los Angeles, CA

Clinical Areas of Interest/Expertise

  • Children in foster care
  • Children with special needs