Editor’s Note: This series recognizes people who make a difference in their communities. To nominate someone, call Wendy Victora at 315-4478 or email wvictora@nwfdailynews.com.
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Few women would list childbirth as a particularly fun experience, but patients of Dr. Melinda Graham all seem to say it was just that. Even her gynecology patients often leave saying they had a good time and thank her for the visit.
Graham is not your average doctor.
“I grew up in Oregon in a very relaxed, friendly environment. That seems to have melded perfectly with my practice,” Graham said. “Being friendly, talking with my patients, it comes naturally.”
Graham says her favorite part of being a doctor is getting to be a part of a family’s most important memories on the day they meet their newest family member.
“I love seeing my patients time and time again,” said Graham. “I get to see the family go through the whole process from being pregnant to the whole finale.”
Graham says her way of treating patients is to care for them as friends. She talks with them about their life and hobbies, and tells them about what is happening in her world.
“From the husband’s perspective, Dr. Graham had a great way of putting my wife at ease,” said Nathan Fischer, whose wife recently gave birth to their third child. “She was supportive and, this is weird to say, but she made it enjoyable.”
She says she loves being both an obstetrician and a gynecologist, but the babies will always be her favorite, especially when it’s a couple’s first child.
“It’s like nothing you can explain until you go through it,” she said, smiling. “The look on the parents’ face when they see this amazing thing they created — it’s amazing.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.