Melissa Donelson

Melissa Donelson owns MD Optimal Health & Aesthetics and practices there as a nurse practitioner. Her credentials are MSN, RN and CRNP. She is a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner and is state-licensed. Over 30 years in medicine, she has worked in critical care, pulmonary, thoracic surgery, internal medicine, palliative care and aesthetics.

She earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University through its Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, and has advanced training in medical aesthetics and weight loss. She is also a certified health coach who focuses on behavior change and sustainable weight loss. Her specialties are aesthetic treatments, dermal fillers from the RHA Collection, and medical weight loss that includes GLP-1 therapies. She is a member of ANA, AANP, NPAM and OMA. She has helped hundreds of clients pursue weight loss goals, including people with complex medical histories and people who have had prior weight-loss surgery.

Aesthetic consultations begin with a one-on-one assessment of facial structure and skin elasticity before a plan is made. She keeps detailed records of each client's treatment plan and Botox treatments so care stays consistent between visits. Her approach puts honesty first, and she does not recommend treatments a client does not need. Weight loss care starts with a private consultation, in person or virtually, covering health history and lifestyle; she then manages dosing, check-ins and progress tracking herself. Care is provided in person in Maryland and virtually in multiple other states.