S. Hughes Melton, MD

S. Hughes Melton, M.D., FAAFP is a family physician from Lebanon, Virginia, who currently serves as an at-large member of the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.

In July 2000, Dr. Melton co-founded C-Health in Russell County, Virginia, with practice partner Dr. Brian Easton. The two physicians opened their first clinic in a small trailer and made a long-term commitment to improve the health and lives of people in rural southwest Virginia. Dr. Melton’s physician-led, interdisciplinary team ensures patients have access to the care they need, when they need it, regardless of their ability to pay. He and his colleagues are committed to helping patients cultivate relationships with doctors who can help them manage their ongoing health needs in the context of a patient-centered medical home. As a result of their successful efforts to recruit physicians, mid-level providers, clinical pharmacists and counselors to the practice, Russell County is no longer considered to be medically underserved.

The American Academy of Family Physicians named Dr. Melton the 2011 Family Physician of the Year at the opening ceremony of its Annual Scientific Assembly. The award honors one outstanding American family physician who provides patients with compassionate and comprehensive care, and serves as a role model professionally and personally in his or her community, to other health professionals and to residents and medical students.

Dr. Melton holds numerous professional appointments. He serves as co-director of Appalachian Substance Abuse Coalition’s Project REMOTE to raise awareness and promote treatment for substance abuse. He was most recently named to the Medical Society of Virginia Foundation’s board of directors where he serves as co-chair of the Programs Committee. Dr. Melton also serves as a medical examiner for Russell County, assistant medical director for the emergency medical technician training program, and team physician for the local high school football team in Lebanon, Virginia, where he practices and resides. Dr. Melton is a clinical professor of Family Medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, and the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg. He also serves as a preceptor for medical, nursing and pharmacy students, with more than 40 students rotating with the C-Health team annually.

Dr. Melton earned his medical degree and completed his Family Medicine residency at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and has the AAFP Degree of Fellow, an earned degree awarded to family physicians for distinguished service and continuing medical education. He and his wife, Sarah, just celebrated their fifteenth wedding anniversary. She is a psychiatric clinical pharmacist at C-Health and is employed by the Appalachian College of Pharmacy. They live in Russell County with their two children.