HAPPI Chat: Meet Dr. Me’lissa Young-Harkins
- csoronen
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
For Dr. Me’lissa Young-Harkins, becoming a physician wasn’t simply a career choice—it was a lifelong dream.
“I’ve always played doctor, sewing up dolls and doing that type of thing,” she shared. “It’s been my passion to serve the underserved and those that are in need.”
Today, Dr. Young-Harkins brings that passion and more than 20 years of experience caring for children and families to HAPPI Health as a senior pediatrician.
A Lifelong Calling to Medicine
A self-described small-town girl, Dr. Young-Harkins grew up in Pulaski, Tennessee. Her journey into medicine took her from Tennessee to Florida and ultimately brought her back closer to home.
She completed her undergraduate education at Fisk University before attending Nova Southeastern University in Florida for her medical training. She then completed her residency at Miami Children’s Hospital.
When the opportunity arose to return to the region and work in a federally funded health center, Dr. Young-Harkins found a way to combine her love of medicine with another passion: caring for communities that may experience barriers to healthcare.
She spent approximately six years working in a clinic setting before transitioning into private practice, where she continued serving a similar patient population. After more than two decades of caring for children and families, her journey eventually led her back to community-based healthcare and to HAPPI Health.
Serving Those Who Need Care Most
Throughout her career, Dr. Young-Harkins has remained committed to improving access to quality healthcare.
For her, one of the most rewarding parts of working at HAPPI Health is having the opportunity to care for families who may face financial, social or other barriers to receiving the healthcare they need.
“It’s been very exciting, very rewarding,” she said. “I’m caring for the population that needs us most.”
That commitment to accessible, compassionate care aligns with HAPPI Health’s mission to meet patients where they are and help families establish a trusted medical home.
A “Kid at Heart”
Dr. Young-Harkins says one thing has remained constant throughout her career: she loves working with children.
“I’m a kid at heart,” she said. “I love children in any aspect from zero to 18.”
She has an especially strong passion for caring for adolescents, a group she says can sometimes be misunderstood. Rather than shying away from the challenges that can come with the teenage years, Dr. Young-Harkins embraces them.
Building trust, listening and helping young patients navigate these important years are all part of what makes pediatrics so meaningful to her.
More Than a Career
After more than 20 years in medicine, Dr. Young-Harkins continues to find fulfillment in the same purpose that first inspired her to become a physician: helping people.
Her journey from a small town in Tennessee to a career dedicated to pediatric and community healthcare is a reflection of her belief that every child deserves access to compassionate, high-quality care.
At HAPPI Health, Dr. Young-Harkins is continuing that lifelong calling—one child and one family at a time.
Want to learn more about the people behind HAPPI Health? Stay tuned for more HAPPI Chats as we introduce you to the providers and team members who make a difference in the lives of our patients every day.
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