Melissa Novotny, NP

Melissa Novotny, NP, is a UW Health Kids nurse practitioner. Melissa is a part of a multispecialty pediatric general surgery team. She cares for children and adolescents with a variety of abdominal and thoracic (chest and lung) conditions that require surgery.

Melissa works with surgeons to help prepare hospitalized kids for surgery. This includes talking with doctors, patients, family and caregivers. Melissa educates them about medical conditions and treatments. She addresses their questions and concerns about the type of surgery needed and why it’s needed. She lets them know what to expect before, during and after surgery.

Melissa’s priorities include involving families in every part of decision-making. She ensures that everyone involved is comfortable with treatment plans and care.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys outdoors. She and her husband enjoy gardening and prairie restoration.

I take care of the whole family. This includes the child and also the caregivers, siblings and others to ease any anxieties or fears during very stressful times.