Melissa Reardon

Melissa Reardon joined the NDSU Department of Public Health in November 2014 and is humbled to be working as the Money Follows the Person Tribal Initiative (MFPTI) Project Manager. The goal of MFPTI is to support tribal elders and tribal members who have disabilities by establishing sustainable, culturally appropriate, long-term services and supports in tribal communities. In this role, Melissa works closely with tribal nation partners to assure coordination and policy development across tribal nation, county, state and federal systems.

Prior to joining NDSU, Melissa worked 14 years as a direct report to the former North Dakota Department of Health State Health Officer, Dr. Terry Dwelle, as program director of Healthy North Dakota. Healthy North Dakota was established by then Governor John Hoeven as a statewide health collaborative charged with developing a statewide strategic health plan. Healthy North Dakota convened state health and healthcare industry leaders to identify gaps and pilot innovative ways to improve health of all North Dakotans.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her fiancé, adult kids, their 4-leggeds and her twin brother’s Weimaraner, Frankie. She also enjoys reading non-fiction books, Solidcore, hot yoga, watching NFL games and the Stanley Cup play-offs

Worksite Wellness Director, Noridian Healthcare Solutions, 2013-2014
Healthy North Dakota Program Director, NDDHHS, 2000-2013

Money Follows the Person Tribal Initiative (MFPTI): There are five states that fund MFPTI projects: Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Washington and Wisconsin. The five MFPTI project managers meet regularly to share lessons learned and to identify best practice recommendations for establishing tribally-driven, long-term services and supports in Indian Country. Fundamental to this important work is honoring tribal sovereignty as the legal recognition that Tribal nations have the rights and authority to govern their peoples, lands and waterways to meet the needs of their people.

Honored with a Star Quilt from the Tribal Health Director at Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (2019)
Accepted the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Vision Award on behalf of Healthy North Dakota’s Worksite Wellness Program (2009)
Charles E. Kupchella Preventive Medicine and Wellness Award (2008)
Outstanding Young Dietitian, North Dakota Dietetic Association (2003)
Creative Excellence Award Recipient, Minnesota American Heart Association (1995-1996)