Dixie Melillo, M.D.

A high school drop-out with two children by the age of 17, who becomes a general surgeon specializing in breast cancer, Dixie Melillo, M.D co-founded The Rose in 1986.  As the second female to finish the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Surgical Residency Program, she opened the doors for other females aspiring to be surgeons.  Her personal story encourages people to look beyond perceived barriers and circumstances.  She minimizes the challenges of returning to high school at age 21 with two children under four years old and then going on to attend college and medical school as a single mother by saying, “my sons are living proof one can grow to 6 feet tall on TV dinners!” 

Dr. Melillo has championed the uninsured since establishing her private practice in Pasadena over 25 years ago, providing care at no charge and convincing fellow physicians and local hospitals to also provide services. Her patients share that Dr. Melillo has helped them to see that breast cancer can actually become a gift for personal growth and change. 

Her fierce sense of  maintaining every patient’s dignity permeates her private practice and The Rose,  there is never a distinction between the paying and non-paying woman. Her humanity best reflected in her reminder to patients and staff that “nothing is more important than appreciating every sunrise and sunset.”

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