Andrew Melson is a physician, mentor, father, and husband living in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Melson made the move to Oklahoma to complete his ophthalmology residency at the Dean McGee Eye Institute, one of the nation’s largest and most esteemed centers of its kind. In addition to seeing patients as an ophthalmologist, Dr. Melson also leads the Institute’s residency program, helping attract top physicians to the state of Oklahoma. Dr. Melson joined Live in Oklahoma to chat about Oklahoma defying its “flyover state” stereotype and why he plans to call it home for the foreseeable future.
Give me a snapshot of your life here in Oklahoma. What do you do? Where do you call home?
My wife and I moved to Oklahoma City in 2015 to start my residency training at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center downtown. She is a physical therapist at INTEGRIS Health, and I am now on faculty and work primarily at the Dean McGee Eye Institute, where I practice as an ophthalmologist with a focus in neuro-ophthalmology. We live in northwest Oklahoma City in a lovely community with our two boys and enjoy spending our time outside of work with our friends and the various communities we have joined in our nearly 10 years here. We love living in Oklahoma City and try to take advantage of the many nearby opportunities to maintain an active lifestyle and cultivate relationships with other Oklahomans.
You grew up in Ohio and have lived in Missouri and Indiana for your medical training. How did they compare to Oklahoma?
I have lived most of my life in major cities scattered throughout the Midwest, in states that have similar values, geography and mix of rural, suburban and urban living options. Cincinnati, St. Louis and Indianapolis are all great places to live with unique histories and traditions that pay homage to the history of their states. As with most big cities, they have big city amenities, but they have pretty notable big city problems as well, with regard to crime, affordability and congestion.
In contrast, I have found Oklahoma City to have an exceptional safety profile, with easy accessibility to broad, affordable amenities and minimal traffic. It’s a rare combination that has a small town feel without limiting your options. There are ever increasing opportunities for personal and professional growth here, and they feel accessible and inclusive. It has been very fun to be a part of the growth of the city and state.
When you got to Oklahoma, how did life here differ from your expectations?
We were frankly most surprised by how much Oklahoma had to offer compared to the “flyover country” reputation it had coming from other parts of the country. We didn’t expect thriving art and cultural scenes with diverse experiences and perspectives. We didn’t expect beautiful and accessible green spaces across the city, as well as gorgeous state parks. It was all quite pleasant, and we felt a bit guilty about our preconceived notions. Now, we are strong proponents for life in Oklahoma and often advocate for it when talking to family, friends and colleagues from other parts of the country.
You work at the Dean McGee Eye Institute, one of the top of its kind in the nation. What attracted you to the opportunity?
The Dean McGee is a nationally recognized institute with a renowned residency program that attracts trainees from across the country. While my interview here years ago certainly confirmed that the reputation was well deserved, I was shocked by how collegial and happy every single person I encountered was. It was at the top of my rank list, and I was thrilled to match here.
As we had no family or connections to the area when we moved here, my wife and I assumed it would be a short stop and that we would move on after graduation. It did not take long to overcome the preconceived notions we had about life in Oklahoma, and we really fell in love with the city and the communities we have come to be a part of.
With your training, you could go anywhere. Why stay in Oklahoma?
A successful career in academic medicine requires more than just hard work and dedication, it requires collaboration, resources and a supportive environment. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a dynamic hub of innovation that facilitates cutting edge research and personalized medicine. While there are many campuses across the country that offer such opportunities, few do so while maintaining a strong culture of collegiality and patient-centeredness.
Living in Oklahoma not only facilitates excellence in patient care but also allows me the conveniences and high standard of living necessary to focus my time outside of work on my family and other priorities. I can be both a highly successful academic physician and also a great dad.
Last, but most important, I love spending my day interacting with Oklahomans. They make great co-workers, great patients and great neighbors.
As the Residency Program Director at Dean McGee, what opportunities are available for residents and physicians to grow their healthcare career in Oklahoma?
DMEI is uniquely positioned to provide an outstanding experience both as a trainee and as a practicing physician. As the only academic ophthalmology program in the state, we have a large catchment area that provides not only a diverse set of patients, but also highly diverse pathology. As a trainee, DMEI provides a top tier education with abundant resources while facilitating the care of thankful patients who value the contributions of all members of their care team. Oklahoma also has an affordable cost of living, centralized facilities and convenient lifestyle — the value of which cannot be overstated during the very stressful time of residency training.
As a faculty member, we are facilitated in taking care of every single patient who comes to us in need. Our mission and philanthropic support empower us to provide the highest level of care regardless of our patient’s ability to pay, complexity of disease or station in life. Our tripartite mission of excellence in patient care, research and education is the driving force behind our program’s success and reflects the deep commitment we have to serving all Oklahomans and the global community.
Let’s talk about your free time. What are some of your favorite things to do with your family?
In our free time, we like to stay active and take advantage of the thriving entertainment options that Oklahoma has to offer. On a daily basis, we stay fit via Crossfit, where my wife is a coach, and we participate in competitions around the state. When the weather allows, we enjoy boating and exploring outdoors with family and friends. We typically make an annual trip down to Broken Bow where we rent a cabin with friends. Other weekends in the summer, we can be found waterskiing on one of the many beautiful lakes around the state, including Arcadia Lake, Fort Gibson Lake or Lake Eufaula.
Once we get our fill of activity for the day, we love to explore the food and beverage scene that we were quite shocked to find was so extensive when we moved here. There are a plethora of great breweries and restaurants across the city and state that we enjoy frequenting.
For a quick lunch downtown by work, we love Ma Der Lao Kitchen and Jimmy B’s. For a treat on weekends, we enjoy brunching at Cafe Kacao and Neighborhood Jam or stopping by Aspen Coffee for a great cup of joe. Oklahoma BBQ has been a very pleasant surprise coming from St. Louis and we particularly enjoy Edge Craft Barbecue and the occasional jaunt out to the OG: Butcher BBQ Stand in Wellston. We also enjoy a brew and trivia with friends at American Solera in Edmond and Prairie Artisan Ales or The Big Friendly in OKC. There are honestly too many great spots to name, and we really enjoy exploring the newest exciting options as they continue to pop up around town.
What is being a dad like in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is a great place to be a dad. Having a climate with all four seasons well represented allows for a nice mix of activities throughout the year. When weather permits, I enjoy taking the boys to one of the many splash pads around town including Piedmont Park, Scissortail Park and the occasional trip to Tulsa for the renowned Gathering Place. We absolutely love the OKC Adventure District and spend a great deal of time at the Oklahoma City Zoo as well as Science Museum Oklahoma. There are always fun holiday options to get into the spirit and form annual traditions.
We are also blessed with affordable and high-quality childcare that allows us to feel comfortable and confident with what our children are learning in a household with two full time working parents. I can’t wait for our little ones to get older so we can start attending Thunder basketball games together and explore Riversport OKC.
What misconceptions do you think people tend to have about living in Oklahoma? What’s the reality, in your opinion?
While I think most people now realize that Oklahoma is not all covered wagons and hitching posts, I suspect that most don’t realize just how much it has grown and continues to diversify. I personally find Oklahoma to be a perfect mix of opportunity, accessibility and authenticity. The business-friendly state policies and new industries are proving we are no longer “just” an oil state. While there are challenges regarding education and health, I find that many Oklahomans see this as an opportunity to re-invest in the communities we live in and are committed to a better future. I thoroughly enjoy learning about the great things all of the new people I meet on a daily basis are doing to improve the lives of those around them.
Someone tell you Oklahoma is just a flyover state. What do you tell them?
Oklahoma is home to warm-hearted, hardworking people who embody a spirit of community and friendliness, making it an ideal place to set down roots and raise a family. The cost of living is remarkably affordable for the variety and accessibility of its amenities, allowing for a high quality of life without the financial strain or inconveniences often found living in close proximity to other large metropolises. Last, Oklahoma is on an amazing upward trajectory with burgeoning industry, an exceptional food and culture scene and widespread support for innovation and civic developments that attract new residents and businesses alike.
