Jonathan Melk, MD, FAAP

Chief Executive Officer, Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc.
Joined Chiricahua in 2006

Why I Believe in the Mission of Chiricahua

I believe that all people deserve access to excellent health care. What we do every single day at Chiricahua Community Health Centers is deeply important and meaningful in ways that go beyond words. I believe strongly that only through the diligence, trust, and collaboration of a committed team can Chiricahua be an exceptional organization. I am inspired and motivated daily by the conviction, skill, and dedication of colleagues who share this belief and live it through their work with patients and communities.

Professional Background

Jonathan Melk, MD, FAAP, is a community pediatrician and physician executive dedicated to improving health outcomes in the rural borderlands of southeastern Arizona. Raised on a small family farm, Dr. Melk developed an early commitment to making a positive difference for rural families and underserved populations.

His dedication to public service was shaped by public health work with children living in poverty in both the United States and international settings. These experiences led him to pursue a medical degree at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, followed by pediatric residency training at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

To strengthen his ability to serve diverse communities, Jonathan Melk led public health and community health worker initiatives in Costa Rica while becoming fluent in Spanish. His long‑standing interest in global health, combined with a deep commitment to rural and medically underserved communities, ultimately brought him to Cochise County, Arizona.

Leadership Path at Chiricahua

In 2006, Jonathan joined Chiricahua Community Health Centers as the first pediatrician serving the border community of Douglas, Arizona. He was drawn to Chiricahua’s comprehensive, community‑based, mission‑driven approach to health care delivered to all people regardless of ability to pay through the Federally Qualified Health Center model.

Recognized for his leadership and clinical commitment, Dr. Melk became Director of Community Pediatrics in 2008 and Chief Medical Officer in 2012. In 2014, he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Chiricahua Community Health Centers, where he leads the organization’s strategic direction, clinical integration, workforce development, and long‑term sustainability efforts.

Under Jonathan Melk’s leadership, Chiricahua has experienced significant growth and operational strength. Since 2014, the organization has expanded from an approximately $13 million annual budget to a $65 million budget in FY25. Chiricahua now supports approximately 80 providers and 465 employees serving a geographically vast region of Cochise County, an area comparable in size to Rhode Island and Connecticut combined.

A central leadership strategy for Jonathan Melk has been building a highly experienced, mission‑driven team committed to rural health care delivery in regions that are often under resourced and difficult to staff.

Commitment to Community Health

As CEO, Jonathan emphasizes patient‑centered care, team‑based practice, and strong community partnerships. His leadership reflects a belief that effective rural health systems depend on trust, consistency, and long‑term relationships within the communities served.

Jonathan continues to practice medicine while leading Chiricahua, grounding administrative decisions in firsthand clinical experience and patient interaction. This dual perspective helps guide organizational growth while remaining closely connected to community needs.

Academic Background

Jonathan Melk, MD, FAAP, received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City and completed pediatric residency training at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. He is board certified in pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.