02/14/2026
✨ 20 Years of Heart, Healing, and Humanity ✨
Today, we celebrate something truly special — Melissa Hilb’s 20th anniversary of serving the families of Lake Forest Pediatrics.
Twenty years.
Two decades of newborn cries turning into toddler giggles.
Toddlers becoming teens.
Teens walking in as young adults.
Melissa has been there for all of it.
As a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Melissa brings both clinical excellence and deep compassion to every family she serves. Her journey began with a Psychology degree from Northwestern University, followed by a second Bachelor’s in Nursing and a Master’s in Nursing from UIC. She trained in the pediatric intensive care unit at the University of Chicago before earning her certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board — and ultimately found her professional home here at LFPA.
But titles and credentials only tell part of the story.
What defines Melissa is her humanity.
She once shared that her approach to patient care can be summed up in one phrase: “Being a good listener.” And anyone who has worked alongside her or sat in her exam room knows that this is more than words. Melissa listens — not just for symptoms, but for fears, questions, and unspoken worries. She listens for the emotional heartbeat of a family.
She finds meaning in:
• Helping a sick child feel better
• Supporting a colleague through a challenge
• Guiding a new mom as her baby latches successfully for the very first time
In 2020, she expanded her impact by becoming an IBCLC, deepening the level of care she can offer to families during one of the most vulnerable and transformative stages of life. That decision reflects who she is — always growing, always learning, always thinking about how she can serve more fully.
One of the most beautiful milestones of her 20-year journey? Watching patients she once cared for as newborns return for their 20-year-old checkups. That’s not just longevity — that’s legacy.
Melissa joined LFPA at a time when few primary care practices were hiring new graduate nurse practitioners. We were ahead of our time — and we were fortunate she chose us. She stayed because of the people, the community, and the way we care for families. And our community is stronger because she did.
Outside the office, Melissa finds balance through time with family, live music, and travel. And if you didn’t know — she’s an adventurous scuba diver who has explored waters from Hawaii to Belize’s Great Blue Hole, diving over 100 feet deep. 🌊 That same courage and curiosity shows up in the way she continues to grow as a clinician and leader.
Melissa, thank you for 20 years of steadiness.
Thank you for your calm presence.
Thank you for your leadership and mentorship to our Nurse Practitioner team.
Thank you for listening.
You are part of the fabric of this community — woven into countless stories, milestones, and memories.
Here’s to 20 years of impact — and many more ahead. 💙
