About Dr. Chrites
Melissa Chrites, D.O. journey into medicine was inspired by her mother's long career as a nurse. She served as a role model, demonstrating a care for others that Dr. Chrites greatly admired and sought to replicate as an adult. Now, as an Internal Medicine doctor at White-Wilson Internal Medicine Clinic in Fort Walton Beach, she lives everyday emulating her mother's compassion with patients at every visit.

Dr. Chrites received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She then enlisted in the United States Air Force where she completed her medical internship at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Following her internship, Dr. Chrites served as an active-duty flight surgeon for 3 years at Nellis Air Force Basi in Nevada before retiring from active duty to complete her Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Mercy in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Following the completion of her residency, she returned to the Air Force as a reservist where she serves as a flight surgeon in addition to her civilian practice.

Dr. Chrites specializes in adult primary care and diagnosing and managing chronic illnesses and diseases. She has a special interest in weight management and likes to focus her approach on preventive care as she views both as important aspects of a healthy life. Dr. Chrites works with her patients to set reasonable and attainable goals, taking patients' personal wishes into account when developing care plans. For patients who may feel more comfortable seeking care from a female primary care doctor, Dr. Chrites shares her interest in ensuring women receive the specialized care they need like scheduling mammograms, providing well women cervical cancer screenings, and managing birth control and hormone therapies. Her military service has given her experience working with patients from a variety of cultures and so she uses that knowledge to help her better understand her patients' perspectives and best meet their needs as they age.

When not caring for patients, Dr. Chrites enjoys running, road biking and spending time at the beach.