Melissa Dodds, MD

Hometown: Rochelle, Illinois
Undergraduate: University of Dubuque, Dubuque Iowa
Medical School: Southern Illinois University
Internship: Medical College of Wisconsin

Why did you select the University of Wisconsin for your training?

There were several key points that stuck out to me compared to other programs. First, I really like the opportunity for continuity of care. We have a half day clinic weekly in our first year and twice weekly in our second and third years. New patients are offered appointments with us the same as attendings clinics, so we get to see a broad demographic with a variety of problems which we follow over our three years. Second, we get lots of experience in pediatrics starting in our first year. This includes outpatient clinics and inpatient. Both hospitals we cover have NICUs so we also see plenty of newborn rashes. Third, we start doing surgeries first year as well. I have been so impressed watching my seniors do some more advanced cases and excited to already have done a handful of more straightforward excisions two months in! And finally, perhaps best of all, all of the attendings and staff are so nice and welcoming. I love coming to work every day!

What are some of your favorite activities to do in the Madison area?

Favorite summer activity- taking our girls to the splash pad in Verona. There is also a little quarry swimming lake with a beach. Favorite winter activity- taking our girls to the big sledding hill at Elvers park, which also has cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Favorite restaurant- the cider farm. They make cider from high tannin apples! Some other great things- lots of weekend road trips within a few hours, esp if you are outdoor inclined. And all the best grocery stores- Trader Joes, Aldi, Costco, and Hy-Vee!