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Dr Melissa Whitelaw, PhD, APD

Melissa brings extensive experience in working with children and adolescents as a former physical education teacher prior to a career change to become a paediatric dietitian. For 18 years she was the lead dietitian for the Department of Adolescent Medicine at the Royal Children’s Hospital and has recently resigned to focus on her private practice. Melissa’s PhD (University of Melbourne) investigated the clinical course of adolescents diagnosed with anorexia nervosa compared to adolescents diagnosed with atypical anorexia nervosa.  Melissa brings extensive eating disorder experience in inpatients and outpatients in public and private settings. She has successfully combined her clinical and research careers to ensure provision of evidence-based care and continues to maintain her interest in research.

Consultation Modality: Melissa has provided supervision for dietitians working in eating disorders at the RCH. These sessions have been collaborative and supportive discussions about the dietetic management of restrictive eating disorders in children and adolescents in the inpatient and outpatient (supporting paediatricians and FBT clinicians) hospital setting.