Melinda Belcher, MS, PA-C

Melinda, a certified Physician Assistant with nearly 20 years of experience, joined Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Specialists, a division of OCC, in May of 2020. Melinda began her path into orthopedics by earning a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University, majoring in Public Health and Athletic Training in 1993, and then completed her Master of Science degree in Exercise Physiology/Biomechanics from Western Illinois University in 1994. She spent eight years providing sports medicine coverage to high school and collegiate athletic programs throughout the southeast. She was honored to serve on the Medical Staff of the 1996 Atlanta Centennial Olympic Games, providing coverage to the Field Hockey venues as an Athletic Trainer.

In 2003, Melinda took her career to the next level when she graduated from the MCP Hahnemann Physician Assistant Program of Drexel University in Philadelphia with a B.S. in Physician Assistant Studies and began practicing as a Certified Physician Assistant, dedicated to orthopedic medicine. She has practiced in NC, VA, and CA, as well as here in Colorado since 2007. Her breadth of knowledge spans the specialties of sports medicine, orthopedic trauma, foot and ankle surgery, and total joint replacement of the shoulder, hip, and knee.

Melinda works exclusively with Dr. James D. Ferrari, who specializes in shoulder and knee conditions, general orthopedics and sports medicine; this team offers patients over 45 years of combined orthopedic expertise. Melinda works clinically in the office caring for new, returning and postoperative patients, as well as assisting Dr. Ferrari on their surgical cases at several area surgery centers, Sky Ridge Medical Center and Littleton Adventist Hospital. She is a member of the AAPA, PAOS, and the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants. She holds an active state license in CO, national certification through the NCCPA and is registered with DEA. Additionally, she is BLS & ACLS certified.

Melinda, who grew up in New Jersey, now proudly calls Colorado her home for close to 15 years. She enjoys hiking, cycling, photography, gardening, and wine tastings.