Melissa Hearrell is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licensed as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is a passionate provider who believes in patient centered care. She strives to determine and meet the patient’s needs in an understanding and supportive environment that provides comforting, professional medical care for patients and their families.

Clinical Interests:

Melissa’s primary clinical interest is in the diagnosis and treatment of children with food allergies. She is dedicated to expanding care for food allergy patients and their families. She came to the Texas Children’s Hospital Food Allergy Program to help lead in the development of dedicated Food Challenge Suites to expand access to families waiting to undergo a food challenge procedure. Food challenges are the gold standard for the diagnosis of food allergies and Melissa understands that food allergies have a tremendous impact on both the patient’s and family’s quality of life. Collateral interests include treatment of anaphylaxis, autoimmune conditions, and immunology.

Research Interests:

Melissa is focused on combining the clinical treatment of allergy, immunology, and food allergy conditions with clinical research trials to not only treat patients, but also be actively working towards advancements in treatments and cures through clinical research trials.

Prior to joining Baylor College of Medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital, she graduated from her BSN and MSN programs with Summa Cum Laude honors. During her MSN program, she also served for 2 years as the sole MSN student representative for the Curriculum and Academic Policy committee where she helped write and review the policies, procedures, and curriculum for the school of nursing. Melissa began her career working in Rheumatology and Rheumatology clinical trials, transitioning to Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology clinical research trials where she found her passion in food allergy.