Meet Your Greater DC Area Endometriosis Excision Specialist: Dr. Melissa McHale
Dr. Melissa McHale, M.D., is a Gynecologic Surgeon and Endometriosis Excision Specialist. She has performed over 300 complex excision of endometriosis cases and she has extensive experience with sacral neuromodulator implants, transvaginal ultrasound diagnostics, and the management of pain and fertility in endometriosis patients.
Dr. McHale completed her OB/GYN residency at Johns Hopkins before completing a two-year fellowship with Dr. Andrea Vidali, a world-renowned surgeon specializing in endometriosis, miscarriage, and reproductive immunology at Braverman Reproductive Immunology and Endometriosis Surgery.
She takes joy in seeing the enormous improvement that patients make with the right treatment and receiving personal feedback about their new life after surgery. Dr. McHale understands the difficulties surrounding endometriosis: it is a complex disease that requires complex and multidisciplinary treatment. Practicing in the greater Washington, D.C. area, she is glad to be a member of the PRM family of providers employing their specialized training to provide the relief that patients deserve.
GET TO KNOW YOUR DOCTOR
WHY DID YOU BECOME A DOCTOR?
I became a doctor because I love helping people and I love science. It is a privilege to collaborate with patients to solve their medical problems and to help improve their lives.
WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO TREATMENT?
I am passionate about improving the lives of patients who have historically not been able to access high-quality surgery resulting in the complete removal of endometriosis. I am transparent in my work and I review my surgeries with each patient post-op to ensure that the patient is fully informed about their procedure.
I know that many patients with severe endometriosis are not fully informed about their options for management prior to receiving care. I provide my patients up-to-date and correct information regarding endometriosis and pelvic pain. It is important to me that my patients have the autonomy to make their own decisions regarding what treatment options they would like to pursue. I listen to my patients’ concerns to ensure that my patients can collaborate with me to help them feel like their best selves.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HELPNG THE POPULATION OF WOMEN SUFFERING WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS?
The endometriosis community is becoming increasingly vocal and visible, which is essential to progress. The endo community deserves much credit for their advocacy and for helping to educate others about endometriosis.
As a physician, I hope to play my part in educating both patients and other physicians about the high-quality care that can help to improve the lives of endometriosis patients. Patients are increasingly well informed, which allows me to help them achieve their goals while respecting their priorities.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT PELVIC HEALTH?
There is a lot of misinformation about endometriosis, and I want my patients to know that they are entitled to factual information about what is happening in their bodies. Patients have a right to see a provider who will continue to investigate their problems until he or she makes a diagnosis, and then to provide high quality information about that diagnosis.
I also want my patients to know that discomfort and pelvic pain is not normal. Patients deserve to be free of pelvic pain. If I cannot help you, we can find someone who will.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Dr. McHale earned her B.A. from Amherst College. She graduated Cum Laude from Boston University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics at John Hopkins University.
Following residency, she completed a two-year fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Braverman Reproductive Immunology and Endometriosis Surgery, working under Dr. Andrea Vidali, a world-renowned endometriosis specialist, surgeon, miscarriage specialist, and reproductive immunologist.
