About Us

We are a unique medical practice, with a focus on natural health and wellness.  Rather than prescribing drugs, which merely minimize symptoms, we strive to address the root causes of symptoms and imbalances, so your body can begin to heal, giving you a better quality of life.  Our treatment approach includes customized recommendations for hormone balance, nutritional support, diet and lifestyle changes.

Melinda Hughes, MHS, PA-C, ABAAHP was born and raised in the Treasure Valley. Melinda was taught at a young age to be a pioneer of new ideas as she was homeschooled. Melinda graduated from High School in 1996 and went to Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham Oregon.  There she earned her Associate in Applied Science, specializing in Surgical Technology. Melinda returned to Boise and worked full time at St. Alphonsus RMC, as a Surgical Technologist, while attending Boise State University full time.  

As Melinda worked with many different health care professionals she learned that there were many different roles besides doctors and nurses.  She met several P.A.s, Physician Assistants, and learned that they have the same education as doctors and are trained as generalists; therefore they can change specialties at any time; whereas a doctor trains in one specialty area and very rarely change specialties. This career offered the diverse lifestyle she was looking for. 

Melinda graduated from B.S.U in 2003 as Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and took a year off to serve on a medical mission trip.  Melinda traveled to Chile for a surgical exchange program and was able to assist in surgery and help develop a cultural/medical exchange.  Melinda was accepted to Duke Medical School’s Physician Assistant Program, which happens to be the very 1st PA program and one of the top PA schools.  Physician Assistant programs are designed to train health care providers in the medical model. Physician Assistants education is medical school accelerated into 2 years v. 4 years. Melinda graduated in 2006 with a Master’s in Health Sciences.

She then decided to join Terry Reilly Health Services in their mission “to care for the underserved” and to improve her Spanish.  In her 4 yrs of service at Terry Reilly, Melinda was concerned about the limited knowledge of health care professionals in nutrition and natural medicine. In her quest for answers Melinda has extensively studied nutrition, functional medicine, anti-aging medicine, and Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement. Melinda is currently board certified in Family Practice and a Diplomate in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. Melinda was mentored by Stephen Thornburgh D.O. at Integrated Medical Arts Center for 3 years. Melinda learned how to put Integrative Medicine into practice. 

When Melinda is not in the office she and her husband are busy with their 1 year old daughter. As a native Idahoan, Melinda, enjoys outdoor Idaho and time with her family and friends.

What does PA-C mean?
Physician Assistant Certified
In able to use this delegation a physician assistant must pass the national certification board exam every 6 years, which confirms that the individual has maintained a high level of expertise in all specialties of medicine.