Melissa MacDonald, MD

Melissa MacDonald, MD, is a UW Health pulmonary and critical care medicine doctor. She’s also an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in the Department of Medicine.

Dr. MacDonald cares for critically ill people in the medical Intensive Care Unit. She also treats clinic patients who have a wide variety of lung diseases and breathing disorders. These issues include unexplained shortness of breath, chronic cough, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Dr. MacDonald has a special interest in treating people with severe COPD. She works with other specialists to help her patients breathe easier and live a better quality of life.

When meeting with patients and families for the first time in the clinic, Dr. MacDonald assesses their symptoms and listens carefully to their concerns. She believes it’s important to give patients time to talk about their possible stress and anxiety and to answer their questions. Then, she creates personalized care plans that fit each patient’s unique needs.

During her free time, Dr. MacDonald enjoys traveling, baking and spending time with family and friends.

I care for patients during the hardest days of their lives. I do everything possible to help them breathe easier and feel better.