Partner and Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight: Melany Hughes, MD, MPH, FACS

Dr. Melany Hughes, a graduate of Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC, completed her general surgery training at Howard University Hospital and earned a master of public health in disaster management degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she also conducted disaster-related research with the World Health Organization-affiliated Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters in Brussels. She has served as a general surgeon with the US Indian Health Service, worked in private practice in Guam, and held leadership roles at Stony Brook Medicine in New York, including vice chair of surgery and director of global surgery—a role in which she helped advance surgical care in Mozambique. A multigenerational Washingtonian, she has returned to the DC area and now practices with Mid-Atlantic Surgical Group on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with a focus on “socially conscious” surgery and equitable access to care. Her work has contributed to several multinational collaborative research projects and publications. Currently, Dr. Hughes is a member of the ACS H.O.P.E. Committee on Global Engagement International Subcommittee and serves as Chair of the workgroup that created and coordinates the ACS H.O.P.E. Global Surgery Expert Lecture Series. The series has seen exceptional participation, and the workgroup continues to develop high-quality programming. 

Partner Spotlight: Hallie Koch

Hallie Koch is a government relations professional, with expertise in healthcare advocacy and federal policy. She currently serves as a federal lobbyist in the ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy in Washington, DC, where she advances policy priorities aimed at improving patient access and strengthening the healthcare system. Previously, Hallie worked at the American Academy of Neurology as a federal lobbyist and political action committee manager, where she contributed to advocacy strategy and political engagement efforts. 

In addition to her professional work, Hallie remains actively involved in advocacy related to neurological and headache disorders. She serves on the board of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy, supporting initiatives to improve care and outcomes for headache patients nationwide. Earlier in her career, she worked at a foreign policy nonprofit, supporting policy and advocacy initiatives. Hallie earned her bachelor of arts in political science and public policy degree from George Washington University (GW) in Washington, DC, and is currently pursuing a master of studies in law degree at GW.  

Hallie has been an outstanding partner and liaison to the ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy and Committee on Global Engagement (CoGE), providing valuable insight and guidance for the CoGE Advocacy and Domestic Subcommittees as they continue to advocate for equitable access to quality surgical care and training for all communities.