About
Dr. Melinda Hierholzer is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Tampa and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University - College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale. She completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania.
Over more than a decade in practice, Dr. Hierholzer has worked as a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Florida Hospital Tampa, a pediatric hospitalist at Lakewood Ranch and Manatee Memorial, and a clinical educator for family medicine residents. She served as Medical Director for After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care in Naples and provided statewide telemedicine care during the COVID-19 pandemic. That breadth of experience across emergency, inpatient, and urgent care settings shapes her confidence in knowing when intervention is essential and when simpler solutions serve a child better. She holds an unrestricted DEA license, maintains PALS certification, and carries deep interests in nutrition, longevity, and lifestyle medicine. A Lakewood Ranch resident since 2011, she lives with her husband and four children and brings that parenting perspective into every patient relationship.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
University of Tampa, B.S.
Medical School
Nova Southeastern University - College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Residency
Pediatrics, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania
Additional Training
Internship at Geisinger Medical Center
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Hierholzer right for?
Dr. Hierholzer is a strong fit for families who want a pediatrician who considers the whole child, not just the presenting symptom. Parents seeking guidance on nutrition, lifestyle, and preventive health alongside traditional medical care will find her approach well-matched. She works effectively with children managing chronic conditions like ADHD, anxiety, eczema, asthma, and allergies. Families who value direct access to their doctor and unhurried appointments benefit most from her membership model. Her background in emergency and urgent care also makes her a reassuring choice for parents who want a physician capable of handling acute and complex situations in-office.
Similar Doctors Nearby
Dr. Eden YelvertonMD
Preventive Medicinemenopause, perimenopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) +9 more
Dr. Kinga PorterDO
Internal Medicinehypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, fatigue +9 more
Dr. Andre MeloMD
Internal Medicinechronic conditions, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction +5 more
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Hierholzer treats a wide range of acute and chronic pediatric conditions. These include fever, flu, ear pain, croup, asthma, sore throat, rashes, eczema, allergies, headaches, migraines, pink eye, skin infections, and gastrointestinal issues. She also evaluates and manages ADHD, anxiety, and depression in collaboration with specialists, though she requires a specialist for the initial diagnosis of those conditions.
Yes, Dr. Hierholzer holds board certification from the American Board of Pediatrics. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and maintains an unrestricted DEA license and PALS certification.
Dr. Hierholzer earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Nova Southeastern University - College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She completed her internship and residency in pediatrics at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Hierholzer integrates evidence-based conventional medicine with holistic and lifestyle medicine principles. She draws on her upbringing, which gave her respect for both traditional and natural health approaches, and her extensive clinical experience to guide families toward the right solution for each child. She prioritizes empowering families to make informed decisions rather than defaulting to intervention when simpler approaches will work.
Dr. Hierholzer has over a decade of experience across emergency medicine, hospital medicine, and urgent care. She served as a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Florida Hospital Tampa, a hospitalist at Lakewood Ranch and Manatee Memorial, a clinical educator for family medicine residents, and Medical Director for After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care in Naples. She also provided statewide telemedicine care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yes, Dr. Hierholzer performs a range of in-office procedures. These include laceration repairs, abscess drainage, foreign body removal, nursemaid's elbow reduction, and splinting. She also administers breathing treatments, IV fluids, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and antiemetics when needed.
Dr. Hierholzer strongly believes in vaccine safety and efficacy. She follows the immunization schedule set by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC, and her own children receive vaccinations on that schedule. She welcomes family questions and addresses concerns openly, and she does not mandate vaccinations for patients.
Dr. Hierholzer can manage medications for ADHD, anxiety, and depression in an ongoing, collaborative way. However, she requires that a specialist provide the initial diagnosis before she takes over medication management. She coordinates with mental health specialists to ensure continuity of care.
Doctor profile last updated June 12, 2026