Lauren Melman, M.D.
Seven years ago, a new tradition was born as Miss Porter’s School began having Ancients serve as graduation speakers. This year, we are pleased to announce Dr. Lauren Melman ’97 as the commencement speaker for the Class of 2021.
Lauren Melman grew up just one town away from Farmington in Burlington, Connecticut. She matriculated to Miss Porter’s School (MPS) in 1993 as a New Girl day student. She was drawn to Porter’s because of its history and legacy of empowering and educating only female students and its international community. Melman credits MPS with teaching her how to study and think critically, and for encouraging her interest in learning which has laid the foundation for her future academic and professional success.
Melman studied Chinese language and literature at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. She joined the Peace Corps after graduation and taught health education to youth and families in Ecuador. This is when her interest in health and preventive care was discovered. Melman returned to the States and earned her medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She completed her residency at the Maine Medical Center Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. She is both a board-certified pediatrician and lactation consultant who offers complete primary care for children from infancy to adolescence. Melman is part of the Middlesex Health Family Medicine Residency Program team. She works as a faculty member teaching pediatrics.
As Miss Porter’s medical director, Melman partners with the Colgate Wellness Center (CWC) to improve students’ health. She recognizes the unique opportunity her role affords her to “empower students to take care of themselves and learn about their bodies and health.” Melman wants students to feel confident when they seek CWC services to know the team is listening and providing confidential, quality care. Melman is also fluent in Spanish, speaks basic Chinese, and has a special interest in LGBTQ+ health.
Dr. Melman has also been an essential member of the Porter’s COVID-19 task force the past 18 months. In this capacity, she was instrumental in developing and implementing the science-based COVID-19 protocol and mitigation plans to support in-person learning in what has undoubtedly been a once-in-a-life-time year. With her guidance, Porter’s also managed to keep COVID-19 cases exceptionally low with zero interpersonal or community spread.
Melman shares, “I like the challenge of a clinical conundrum [and] working as part of a medical team to provide quality care is very rewarding. During the pandemic it has been rewarding to keep the Porters community safe by following science and working as a team to solve complex problems.” Acknowledging that the pandemic has been a challenging time for all, she has “learned a lot about the strength of our MPS community and tried to always focus on what is best for the students.”
When not serving as the Porter’s medical director, Melman looks to running and cycling for stress relief. She also enjoys traveling, cooking and trying new recipes. Melman is always up for an adventure and can be found sharing spur of the moment ideas and adventures with her husband and three children.
Porter’s is pleased to have Dr. Lauren Melman ’97 as its 2021 commencement speaker.
Visit the Class of 2021 commencement and graduation page for more details regarding the schedule of events.