Melissa Martin

About Melissa Martin

I started my career as an award-winning journalist, reporting live to local and national audiences, covering presidential campaigns, and empowering people with information. I thrived on uncovering the truth, asking the right questions, and making complex topics easy to understand.But sometimes life has a way of revealing a deeper calling through unexpected circumstances. My dad was diagnosed with a rare disease and struggled to get access to the right medical information and healthcare professionals. When he finally did, I saw the dramatic impact it had in his life. Access to the right care team, right diagnosis, and right medical professionals was a turning point for him and my career trajectory. Inspired by his experience, I transitioned from journalism into healthcare, driven by the same mission: connecting people with the information, care, and technology they need to thrive.My experience spans the healthcare ecosystem, from pharmaceutical companies to large health systems, nonprofit organizations, and leading consulting firms. I\'ve worked extensively with major EHR systems like Epic and Cerner/Oracle, focusing on the intersection of patient care, digital innovation, and system transformation to align people, processes, and technology to improve how care is delivered and experienced.My journalism foundation remains core to how I lead: listening deeply, building trust, synthesizing complexity, and bringing clarity to ambiguity. These skills help me identify opportunities, build collaborative relationships across the healthcare ecosystem, and harness cross-functional teams to deliver results.Today, my work is driven by a deep commitment to improving healthcare quality, access, and outcomes. I am passionate about reimagining what healthcare can look like: more connected, easier to navigate, more personalized. At the heart of it all, my mission remains unchanged: to ensure people receive the care, information, and support that can improve the quality of their life.

Experience

1. Executive Director Hc65

   West Health

   Dec 2025 — Present

   Thrilled to join West Health, a nonprofit reimagining how older adults experience healthcare. As Executive Director of @HC65, I\'m leading a national initiative focused on the intersection of technology and care delivery. Our focus is bringing together healthcare organizations, technology leaders, and policymakers to scale patient-centered, technology-enabled care models that support people\'s ability to age in place while improving outcomes and lowering costs.

Education

• James Madison University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Communications, Spanish Minor

• George Mason University College of Public Health

  Master of Health Administration