Title: 1) Registered Dietitian; 2) Clinical Dietitian
Company: 1) Mendocino County Public Health Office; 2) Nourish
Location: Willits, California, United States
Melissa Fleetwood, MA, Registered Dietitian at Mendocino County Public Health Office and Clinical Dietitian at Nourish, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Healthcare Professionals for dedication, achievements and leadership in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Ms. Fleetwood has established herself as an expert in outpatient community nutrition, demonstrating a commitment to patient-centered care and health equity throughout her career in this sector. In her current capacity as a registered dietitian with the Mendocino County Public Health Office since 2025, she provides personalized nutrition assessments and care to patients, including pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5, all of which are aligned with federal and state WIC guidelines. Ms. Fleetwood’s approach emphasizes addressing individual dietary needs and challenges while empowering clients through education on healthy eating and lifestyle choices.
Additionally, Ms. Fleetwood began serving as a clinical dietitian with Nourish in 2025. In this role, she consults with patients via telehealth to develop personalized health plans and ensures accessibility by accepting most insurance plans. Ms. Fleetwood’s expertise enables her to deliver tailored interventions that support long-term wellness for diverse populations, addressing a range of concerns, including chronic health conditions, mental health issues and disordered eating.
Before these roles, Ms. Fleetwood contributed her skills as a clinical dietitian at Adventist Health for a brief period in 2025. Her earlier professional journey in the field included her role as a clinical dietitian at the Southern Nevada Health District from 2019 to 2020, where she pioneered the first full-time dietitian program within one of the largest health districts in the U.S., specifically supporting the HIV community. She created the position, authored policies and procedures, developed assessment forms and tracked patient services through monthly reports. Ms. Fleetwood’s efforts ensured malnourished patients received essential supplements and established a sustainable model for nutrition care within the district’s HIV program. Additionally, she gained experience as a dietitian with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in 2018, following her initial work with Aid For AIDS of Nevada from 2016 to 2017, where she provided nutrition support to individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Outside of nutrition and dietetics, Ms. Fleetwood found success as an automobile claims adjuster with CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, from 2021 to 2022. She also taught as an adjunct instructor at the College of Southern Nevada between 2017 and 2020 and at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, from 2018 to 2019.
Ms. Fleetwood’s academic achievements have been instrumental in shaping her career trajectory. She completed a bachelor’s degree in nutrition sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2015, followed by a master’s degree in communication and media studies on campus in 2020. Ms. Fleetwood holds several certifications that enhance her professional practice, including being a registered dietitian nutritionist since 2016 and having a deaf awareness micro certificate from Canvas Credentials since 2025.
Apart from her education, Ms. Fleetwood’s involvement with industry organizations, such as the Nevada Dietetic Association and the Association of Pre-Health Professionals, reflects her commitment to ongoing professional development and collaboration within the field. Civic engagement is equally important to her. Since 2016, Ms. Fleetwood has served as a church school teacher and religious educator at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, where she fosters spiritual growth and community service among the youth.
Ms. Fleetwood attributes her success to her faith, strong family support, and an unwavering work ethic, which is rooted in her upbringing as a second-generation Mexican American woman from a rural agricultural family background in Ukiah, California. Her early interest in health was sparked by her participation in sports and personal experiences overcoming skin health challenges through nutrition.
Looking ahead, Ms. Fleetwood envisions mentoring future health professionals across various disciplines, including dentistry, otology and dietetics, while continuing to empower mothers through multiple programs. She is also considering pursuing doctoral studies in fields such as organizational development, counseling psychology or public health. Additionally, Ms. Fleetwood aims to author a book and establish a consulting agency focused on leadership training for diverse sectors to improve work environments and enhance patient experiences.
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