Melissa O’Connor, MPAS, PA-C
Melissa O’Connor, MPAS, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant with more than a decade of clinical experience in orthopedic spine care, neurosurgery, and physiatry. She earned her undergraduate degree in Health Professions with a minor in Biology from Grand Valley State University before completing her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Wingate University in North Carolina.
Melissa began her career working in orthopedic spine and neurosurgery, where she served as a first assistant in the operating room and provided hospital, emergency department, and clinic consultations. During this time, she developed extensive experience in sterile surgical technique, patient preparation, and maintaining sterile operating fields in complex surgical environments.
She later transitioned into physiatry, a holistic, non-surgical specialty focused on restoring, maximizing, and maintaining physical function and quality of life. There, Melissa specialized in non-surgical orthopedic spine care and refined advanced procedural skills, including trigger point and joint injections.
“For me, the most rewarding part of medicine has always been helping patients regain the ability to live their lives fully,” Melissa says. “Whether it’s returning to a favorite hobby, traveling, or completing a marathon they've been training for, those moments are incredibly meaningful.”
Throughout her medical career, Melissa maintained a strong interest in skincare, aesthetics, and beauty. She now brings her clinical expertise and patient-centered philosophy into aesthetic medicine, helping clients
achieve natural-looking results that enhance confidence and support overall well-being.
-“I’ve always believed that confidence and health go hand in hand,” she explains. “Aesthetic medicine allows me to combine science, artistry, and patient care to help people feel their best.”
Originally from Michigan, Melissa moved to North Carolina to attend graduate school and quickly fell in love with the Carolinas. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, playing golf, Christmas decorations, attending live music, and staying active through Peloton classes. She also values spending quality time with her family, dog and ensuring she never misses an important moment in her son’s life.
The Intersection of Science and Artistry
Melissa earned her undergraduate degree in Health Professions with a minor in Biology from Grand Valley State University before completing her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Wingate University. Her decade of experience spans across orthopedic spine surgery and neurosurgery, where she served as a first assistant in the operating room. This unique background in surgical environments provided her with elite training in maintaining sterile fields and performing complex procedural tasks. Her subsequent transition into physiatry allowed her to master non-surgical orthopedic care, focusing on maximizing quality of life through precision-based medical interventions.
A Foundation of Specialized Medical Education
Melissa earned her undergraduate degree in Health Professions with a minor in Biology from Grand Valley State University before completing her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Wingate University. Her decade of experience spans across orthopedic spine surgery and neurosurgery, where she served as a first assistant in the operating room. This unique background in surgical environments provided her with elite training in maintaining sterile fields and performing complex procedural tasks. Her subsequent transition into physiatry allowed her to master non-surgical orthopedic care, focusing on maximizing quality of life through precision-based medical interventions.
Refined Procedures for Natural Rejuvenation
Melissa’s signature treatments are a reflection of her background in both surgical precision and holistic restoration. She focuses on services that bridge the gap between medical science and aesthetic beauty, such as full-face liquid lifts and regenerative skin resurfacing. Her preferred techniques emphasize subtle refinement and anatomical balance, ensuring that every patient receives consistent, high-quality results that look refreshed and authentically beautiful.
Neurotoxins
A non-surgical injectable treatment that temporarily relaxes facial muscles to smooth fine lines and prevent the formation of deep-set wrinkles.
Dermal Fillers
Injectable Hyaluronic Acid gels used to restore lost volume, enhance facial contours, and smooth deep folds for a hydrated, youthful look.
Microneedling
A collagen-induction therapy that creates micro-channels in the skin to trigger natural repair and enhance the absorption of regenerative serums.
Medical-Grade Skincare
Clinical-strength topical products formulated with high concentrations of active ingredients to treat specific skin conditions and maintain the results of professional treatments.
PRP
A regenerative clinical treatment that utilizes a concentrated dose of your own blood platelets to accelerate tissue repair and stimulate natural collagen or hair growth.
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Demand the Elite Standard
The most sophisticated results start with a focused conversation. Contact our Cornelius office to schedule a comprehensive analysis and experience a clinical, intentional approach to your aesthetic goals.