Melissa A. LaBoy
Melissa LaBoy, EMT, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and Professional Military Education Instructor, is a retired Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force with over 25 years of distinguished service as a combat medic. Throughout her military career, she provided critical care in emergency rooms, intensive care units, and clinics, and deployed multiple times to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. She also served as a Professional Military Education Instructor for three years, earning recognition for her leadership, mentorship, and expertise in operational excellence. Melissa completed her Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Health Sciences from American Military University in 2024 while balancing deployments, education, and family life.
Since retiring in 2025, Melissa has dedicated herself to serving her local community in Highwood, Illinois. She currently works as a substitute school nurse, assistant swim coach for the Highland Park Aquatics Club, and school lunch coordinator with Lunch Solutions. Maintaining her EMT certification, she continues to provide hands-on care and mentorship, bringing the same dedication and resilience from her military career into her civilian roles.
Outside of her professional work, Melissa is passionate about youth development, fitness, and volunteering. She coaches competitive swim teams, enjoys rollerblading and crocheting, and actively participates in philanthropic initiatives such as Lasagna Love, preparing and delivering meals to families in need. Above all, she values time with her family and believes in creating positive, supportive environments for both her patients and the children she mentors.
• Bachelor's degree in Sports and Health Sciences
• American Military University
• December 2024
• Air Force Medical Technical School
• Associates Military Professional Military Instructor
• Associates Applied Health Sciences
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
• Professional Military Education Instructor
• Green Belt Certification, U.S. Air Force, 2019
• Multiple Service and Deployment Recognitions in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan
• Military and Veteran Mentorship Networks
• Highland Park Aquatics Club – Assistant Swim Coach
• Lasagna Love – Volunteer Chef
• Lasagna Love Chef
• Volunteer Parent for Competitive Swim Team
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Emergency Room
- Intensive Care Unit
- Combat Medicine
- Clinical Medicine
- Substitute School Nursing
- Swim Coaching
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I love most about being a medic is knowing that I have the ability to handle the most challenging situations that others can't. When I was deployed and saw what combat medicine demanded, I realized it takes a special person to be able to handle those things, and I can handle it. That's what kept me going back to Afghanistan and Iraq - knowing that when patients were brought in to us, I had the strength and skills to take care of them. Even after thinking about getting out at one point, after I got back from Iraq, I knew I needed to stay in because I could do this work that not everyone can do. I loved every minute of my 25-plus year career working in clinics, emergency rooms, and intensive care units. Now in retirement, I'm still keeping my EMT certification active because this work is part of who I am.