Melissa Palmer MBA, MD

Dr. Melissa Palmer is the Deputy Chief of Staff for the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. In this role, Dr. Palmer provides executive oversight of health care providers and day-to-day clinical operations in inpatient, outpatient, and specialty care services.

Dr. Palmer joined VA in September 2008 as a diagnostic radiologist and, from April 2015 to October 2023, served as VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System’s Chief of Imaging Services. Prior to joining VA, she served as an Assistant Professor of Radiology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and prior to that, was self-employed as a diagnostic radiologist while simultaneously serving as adjunct clinical faculty in the Department of Radiology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Before pursuing a fulltime medical career, Dr. Palmer served as a Peace Corps volunteer, bakery manager, business and finance graduate assistant, and pathology research assistant. 

Dr. Palmer has a Doctor of Medicine Degree, a Master of Business Administration Degree, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology (with honors) – all from the University of Oklahoma. She completed a general surgery internship at the University of New Mexico, a diagnostic radiology residency at the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, and a body imaging fellowship at Georgetown University. She holds state medical licenses is Colorado, Oklahoma, and the District of Columbia; and is Board Certified by the American Board of Radiology.