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Melissa A. Rockford, M.D.

Melissa  portrait
Clinical Associate Professor, Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine

Director of Operations, Director of Operations, Department of Anesthesiology, TUKHS, Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine

Professional Background

Dr. Melissa Rockford is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Perioperative Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She has been the Director of Operations for the department’s main operating rooms and clinical sites since transitioning from the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs role in June 2020, a role in which she served in from July 2007. She also works as the Medical Director for Perioperative Resource Management in partnership with nursing leaders for the operating rooms.

Dr. Rockford received her undergraduate degree in Human Biology and Mathematics from the University of Kansas. She went on to receive her medical degree, her internship in internal medicine, and residency in anesthesiology all at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.

Dr. Rockford has been involved with both resident education and nurse anesthesia education. She developed resident rotation goals and objectives for neuroanesthesia (2006), PreAnesthesia Testing (2007, 2008) and most recently OR management (2016). She received the resident staff of the year award in 2007. She has also been involved with nurse anesthesia education and received the Anesthesiologist Teaching Award from the graduating classes of 2019 and 2023.

Dr. Rockford served as the president of the Kansas City Society of Anesthesiologists in 2018-2019. Prior to that she also served as vice president, treasurer and secretary. She is also a member of the American Association of Clinical Directors, KSA, ASA and AMA.

Dr. Rockford’s clinical areas of interest are anesthesia for plastic surgery andamp; gynecologic surgery. Her primary area of interest is daily OR management.

Education and Training
  • BA, Human Biology and Mathematics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
  • MD, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
  • Internship, Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
  • Residency, Anesthesiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Licensure, Accreditations & Certifications
  • Anesthesiology, The American Board of Anesthesiology
  • Medical License, Kansas State Board of Healing Arts
Professional Affiliations
  • Kansas City Society of Anesthesiologists, President, 2018 - 2019
  • Kansas City Society of Anesthesiologists, Vice President, 2017 - 2018
  • Kansas City Society of Anesthesiologists, Treasurer, 2016 - 2017
  • Kansas City Society of Anesthesiologists, Secretary, 2015 - 2016
  • American Association of Clinical Directors, Member, 2007 - Present
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists, Member, 2002 - Present
  • Kansas City Society of Anesthesiologists, Member, 2002 - Present