Meet Dr. Ratliff
Melissa H. Ratliff, MD
Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician
Fellowship-Trained in Integrative Medicine
Direct Primary Care in Charlotte & Waxhaw, NC
I’m Dr. Melissa Ratliff, a board-certified family medicine physician with advanced fellowship training in integrative medicine from the University of Arizona’s Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. I founded Ratliff Integrative Family Medicine to deliver what healthcare should be: affordable, accessible, and deeply personal.
My care philosophy blends conventional medicine with evidence-based integrative approaches that support the whole person—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether you're managing a chronic condition, working toward optimal wellness, or seeking care that truly listens and partners with you, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
Through my direct primary care (DPC) model, I’m able to offer same-day and next-day appointments, longer visits, transparent pricing, and ongoing support through phone, text, or email—without interference from insurance companies or corporate systems.
My Medical Journey
I’ve spent nearly two decades caring for individuals and families across Charlotte and the surrounding area. I served as Lead Physician at Novant Blakeney Family Physicians, where I worked for nine years delivering comprehensive care to thousands of patients. Later, I joined WellcomeMD, a concierge family medicine practice that allowed me to deepen my focus on personalized, preventive care.
In 2021, I began a two-year fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Andrew Weil Center, one of the nation’s leading programs for whole-person healing. That training now allows me to incorporate a broader range of tools—including nutrition, sleep, stress management, and botanicals—into my clinical approach.
A Charlotte Native,
A Local Partner in Your Health
As a native of Charlotte, I’ve spent my career caring for the people who make up the city I love
After graduating from West Charlotte High School, I attended Davidson College, where I was a Pre-Med student and majored in Chemistry. It’s also where I met Stephen, the love of my life. We got married shortly after college, after which we had our two boys, Jacob and Benjamin, who are now adults and living in Asheville and Raleigh, respectively.
I went to Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA, then returned to Charlotte for my family medicine residency at Atrium Health (then Carolinas Medical Center).
I served as a family physician at Novant Blakeney Family Physicians for nine years, during which time I was Lead Physician for a team of nine healthcare providers.
Prior to starting my own practice, I was a family physician at WellcomeMD, helping my patients reach their health goals instead of just treating symptoms and sending them on their way.
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Dr. Ratliff is wonderful. Kind, considerate, extremely knowledgeable, and takes a holistic approach to her patients’ well-being.
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Dr. Ratliff is always thorough and listens to my concerns. I feel she is up-front with recommendations and referrals, but doesn't push unnecessary treatment.
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Dr. Ratliff is great. Knowledgeable, frank, and has a soft touch. Very pleased to be under her care.
Education
testimonials
What my patients have to say...
After moving to Charlotte 4 years ago, I had a hard time finding a doctor that I connected with. I wanted someone who was sincerely interested in my overall health and well being. I was not satisfied until I started seeing Dr. Melissa Ratliff over 2 years ago. She is caring, compassionate, thoughtful and very professional. I followed her from her previous practice to her private practice because she is the best at what she does! She looks beyond your symptoms to find a solution to your problems and will work with you to correct the problem. I highly recommend her, you will not be disappointed.
Dr. Ratliff is wonderful. Kind, considerate, extremely knowledgeable, and takes a holistic approach to her patients’ well-being.
Dr. Ratliff is thorough, compassionate, collaborative, and extremely intelligent. I trust her with my physical and mental health and would follow her anywhere!
Dr. Ratliff is great. Knowledgeable, frank, and has a soft touch. Very pleased to be under her care.
I have a complicated health history, beginning with an AVM Rupture and massive stroke in 2011. I started facing new challenges 2.5 years ago and embarked on an aggressive course of answer seeking. At this time I had to move to another state and selected Dr. Ratliff as my new PCP. She was immediately able to grasp the scope of the situation and dove into building on the foundation my former team built for me, and helped me strategize and implement a plan for next steps. She was the first Doc I secured in this city and I am SO happy with that choice. It was a BIG deal to leave the medical infrastructure I had worked on for over a decade while attending to a "developing situation". Dr. Ratliff hit the ground running.
Dr. Ratliff is always thorough and listens to my concerns. I feel she is up-front with recommendations and referrals, but doesn't push unnecessary treatment.
I have never had a doctor spend so much time getting to know me and my family. She went above and beyond to help our family get settled in our new environment. Great experience!
Dr. Ratliff is an excellent physician. She takes ample time with patients, respects their perspective, and treats them as partners in their care. Her focus is at least as much on nutrition and lifestyle as it is on pharmaceutical approaches. It's also easy to reach her by email and get appointments. She's by far the most accessible health care provider I've ever encountered.
I've been a patient of Dr. Ratliff's for many years. I've followed her to 3 practices now, and I'm happy for her newest journey, direct primary care. Dr. Ratliff is a very compassionate, competent, and reliable physician. In today's world, those 3 attributes mean a lot to me.
As a medical professional myself, I know what to look for in a physician, and she is it! That is why I have followed her journey to direct physician care! Dr. Ratliff listened and advocated for me, when other doctors just pushed me aside. She kept testing, kept asking questions, and I finally got answers, thanks to her!
She's helped me with numerous medical concerns, and we have worked together to ease my ailments. I'm so very thankful for her! Please consider her if you're looking for a new approach to healthcare, where you and your physician are in control of your health...not the insurance companies!
Dr. Ratliff has always demonstrated the utmost care and concern for any of my health issues. I never feel rushed with my questions or concerns. She takes the time to answer all my questions and make the appropriate recommendations. Moving from another state 5 years ago, I’m very happy to have found her!
Dr. Ratliff is not just a fantastic human being, but also a highly efficient professional. Her thoroughness and efficiency have instilled a renewed trust in doctors (not many), making me confident in her abilities. She is an excellent communicator whom you can always rely on.
I'm grateful for Dr. Ratliff's holistic approach, which focuses on treating the whole person, not just the symptom. Her integrative approach is a testament to her dedication. There have been occasions where she has recommended supplements, teas, etc.
Dr. Ratliff's compassion and support are unwavering. She takes her time, listens, and actually "sees" you before assessing and prescribing. She always ensures I'm comfortable with the treatment plan and is quick to suggest alternatives if needed.