Melissa G. Fairbairn, PA

Melissa Gerardi Fairbairn is a physician assistant, board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and then completed her physician assistant training at the former Cornell Weill Medical College Surgeon's Assistant Program in Manhattan. She started her career as a surgical physician assistant in 1997 and then went on to pursue her career in oncology in 1999. Her focus was predominately on gynecologic oncology, where she spent the last 23 years of her career,  at institutions such as MSKCC, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, and Yale New Haven Hospital. She also worked here previously in Gynecologic Oncology, where she covered both Danbury and Norwalk hospitals.

Melissa Is committed to providing patients, including their families, with the utmost attention and compassion, as well as caring for their individual needs. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She and her husband love to be outdoors and love to watch their son play travel baseball and golf. 

Why should someone choose you to care for their health? I have many years of oncology experience and treasure the relationships I develop with my patients and their families. I want my patients to know that they will always have a place they can come to for support.

What is the most important thing your patients should expect from their professional relationship with you? What do you expect from them?
I am caring and compassionate and will spend the time to listen to their concerns. I want them to know that they can always reach out to me if they need not only physical but emotional support. I believe that a professional relationship is one that embodies mutual respect for one another.       

How do you spend your valuable personal time when you’re not caring for patients?
I love spending time with my family and friends. My husband and I enjoy culinary experiences, being outdoors and spending time at our son’s travel baseball games.

Why did you choose your specialty and what is its greatest reward?
I feel that the relationship between a provider and a patient afflicted with cancer is one that embodies caring and trust.  That relationship is incredibly rewarding to me. Also, it’s an exciting time to be in oncology with all the latest developments in cancer care.