Dr. Newell Retirement

Dear Patients and Families, 

After more than 31 wonderful years of caring for children in this community, I have made the bittersweet decision to retire from practice, effective November 30, 2026. 

Words cannot fully express how deeply grateful I am for the gift of your trust. You welcomed me into some of the most tender, vulnerable, and joyful moments of your family's lives, and that is not something I will ever take lightly or forget. It has been a privilege to watch your children grow from tiny newborns into energetic school-aged children, and to share in the milestones that make this work so meaningful: first smile, first words, first steps, and even the more difficult times of illness that we faced together. Through all of it, you gave me far more than I ever gave you. 

To the families of my special needs patients: I have long admired the love, devotion, and fierce advocacy you show your children each and every day as you help them reach their fullest potential. You have taught me lessons in strength, grace, and perseverance that I could never have learned in medical school, and I carry those lessons with me always. It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to walk alongside you. 

To my second-generation families, those I cared for as children and who later returned with children of their own, caring for the next generation of your families has been especially meaningful and fills my heart with more joy than I can express. Watching those circles of love continue across generations is a gift I did not expect and will treasure forever. 

I am deeply grateful for the kindness, patience, and warmth you have shown me and everyone at Carolina Pediatrics of the Triad over the years. I have come to think of so many of you as part of my extended family, and stepping away from those daily connections will be one of the hardest parts of this transition. Please know that each of you has left a lasting mark on my life. 

I look forward to new adventures, more sunshine, and spending more time with my family. I leave this practice knowing it is in caring, capable hands, and that the compassionate, high-quality care you have come to expect will continue without interruption. Arrangements are in place to ensure a smooth transition for every patient and family. 

Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for allowing me to be part of your children's lives. For 31 years you made me look forward to coming to work each day, and that is a rare and beautiful thing. I leave with a full heart, a lifetime of cherished memories, and the deepest warmth and love for every child and family I have been privileged to serve. 

Wishing you health, happiness, and all the good things in life, 

Melissa V. Newell MD