Melissa Defoe, M.D.

Internal Medicine - Rheumatology Diseases
Myositis
Rheumatoid Arthritis

Biography

Melissa DeFoe, M.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern. She specializes in rheumatology, especially myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and rheumatologic side effects of cancer immunotherapy treatments.

Dr. DeFoe earned her medical degree at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and received advanced training in rheumatology through a fellowship at UT Southwestern, where she served as Chief Fellow.

Certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine, she joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2022.

Dr. DeFoe’s publications include a contribution to The Washington Manual: General Internal Medicine Consult.

Education & Training

Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2020), Rheumatology
Medical School - McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (2009-2013)
Residency - Washington University Barnes Jewish Hospital/ St. Louis Children's Hospital Consortium Program (2013-2016), Internal Medicine

Honors & Awards

Inductee 2011, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

Books & Publications

Books
- Approach to the Patient with Hematuria in The Washington Manual: General Internal Medicine Consult, 3rd Edition
  DeFoe M, Blanchard M (2017)

Clinical Focus

Myositis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatologic Manifestations of Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicity