Melissa Ann Eppinger, MD

Family physician sees the person behind the diagnosis

“My goal is to provide compassionate care that acknowledges each patient’s unique story, empowering them through every step of their healthcare journey.”

Melissa Ann Eppinger’s path to medicine seems almost destined. With a father who is a nephrologist and a mother who works as a physician assistant, healthcare was always a central theme in her life. During high school, a volunteer job as a hospital courier, delivering flowers and plants to patients, gave her a firsthand look at the difference a kind gesture can make. However, it was a profound personal experience with a life-changing diagnosis that truly set her on the path to becoming Dr. Melissa Ann Eppinger.

“I understand what it’s like to be on the other side of the examination table,” she said, “feeling the fear and worry. My goal is to ensure my patients know that I’m here for them, seeing them as more than just their medical conditions.”

Dr. Eppinger ultimately pursued her medical education with a focus on family medicine. Her formative experiences included internships in surgery and pediatric neurosurgery, where she conducted and published research in areas such as breast oncology, hypertension, pediatric neurosurgery, and neurology.

Returning to New Jersey, where she considers home, she said “I feel a strong connection to the community that helped shape who I am today.” Dr. Eppinger chose Vanguard for its comprehensive resources and patient-centered approach.

Dr. Eppinger values the diversity of her patients, from newborns to the elderly and everyone in between. “I could be seeing a sick appointment, and then seeing a baby, and after that treating someone with a chronic medical condition,” she said. “They are so much more than their chronic medical conditions, hypertension, anxiety, depression, and diabetes, so much more than their blood pressure value, hemoglobin count or A1C value. They are also mothers and fathers, chefs and firefighters and marathon runners, and that’s how I think we should be treating our patients. We need to take a step back and truly get to know who our patients are to really be effective clinicians.”

She has a particular passion for women’s health, engaging in meaningful conversations about issues that many women are hesitant to discuss. “I aim to empower women and emphasize the importance of healthcare screenings. I also provide services like pap smears, birth control implants, and intrauterine device insertions.”

Her patients appreciate her personable and compassionate approach, noting her dedication to listening and understanding their concerns. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of my patients’ lives, helping them through both the big and small challenges,” she said.

Outside of work, Dr. Eppinger enjoys traveling, staying fit through cardio kickboxing, and dancing competitively in jazz, contemporary, and ballet.