Melinda Short-Russell is a Nurse Practitioner at Academic Alliance in Dermatology, who works closely and trains directly under world-renowned Dermatologist, Panos Vasiloudes, MD, PhD, FAAD, FAAP, FASMS.  She originally attended Keiser University in Lakeland, Florida, where she received an Associates Degree of Nursing Science, graduating with honors.  Melinda then pursued her interest in advancing her career in nursing by graduating with honors from George Washington University with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, while working simultaneously on her Masters Degree in Nursing.

While working full-time at Lakeland Regional’s Trauma and Neuroscience intensive care unit, Melinda completed her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in Family Practice.  Melinda is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and is licensed in Florida. She is currently working solely as a Dermatology ARNP, serving the pediatric and adult populations in Polk and Hillsborough County, offering medical, surgical and aesthetics treatments . She is currently completing her Doctoral Degree in Nursing Practice (DNP) at Duke University, attending both in-person/on-campus intensives as well as virtual studies.

Melinda is an active member of several professional organizations including Dermatology Nurses Association (DNA), Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners, Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Advanced Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), Sigma Theta Tau.