Melissa Nana Saa Kessie, MD

About Dr. Kessie

It was during a high school science program that Melissa Kessie, MD, became fascinated with biology, especially studying various creatures and the intricacies of the human body. “It fueled my desire to explore the subject further, which is why I enrolled in medical school after high school,” she says.

At Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology - Kumasi, Ghana, she earned a BSc degree in Human Biology. She then went on to earn an MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) degree at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology - Kumasi, Ghana. Dr. Kessie then completed her family medicine residency at UAMS South Central Family Medicine Residency - Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Here, she also served as Chief Resident. She has experience in orthopedic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and pediatrics, and internal medicine.

Dr. Kessie says that family medicine involves more than just treating a patient. “It involves taking care of factors that …also influence a patient’s disease and recovery,” she says. “It encompasses total care of an individual.”

Her philosophy to practicing medicine, which she sees as an art, is to treat an individual wholistically and with passion. “I hope my patients feel heard and supported when discussing their concerns,” Dr. Kessie says. “I hope my patients feel more empowered and knowledgeable after interacting with me.”

In her own words…

Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life?My mother

What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I was a sales associate. I have had the opportunity to interact with different personalities and people from different backgrounds and learned about their cultures.

What is your favorite food? Movie? Favorite food: plantains with cooked bean sauce Favorite movie: Grease

What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? Best subjects were biology and math; worst was organic chemistry.

If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? Michelle Obama – she is a resilient and compassionate woman who is always ready to help others?

In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Cooking, shopping, traveling, learning different cultures, watching National Geographic series.

What is something most people don’t know about you? I used to throw javelin in high school.