Melinda A. Montoya, PT, DPT, MPH, PRPC, is a Visiting Lecturer in the School of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico. She is a physical therapist and public health professional whose work spans healthcare delivery, health systems and policy, community engagement, and public service.

Dr. Montoya has worked across federal, community, and academic healthcare settings, including the Indian Health Service and Veterans Health Administration, with experience serving rural, tribal, veteran, and underserved communities. Her public health and policy work focuses on health equity, healthcare access, transportation and injury prevention, community-centered policy development, and systems improvement. She is actively engaged in professional and community advocacy and brings this applied experience into her teaching.

She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and Master of Public Health in Health Systems, Services, and Policy from the University of New Mexico. Her teaching interests include social determinants of health, health policy, healthcare leadership, population health, and translating evidence into effective organizational and public policy decisions.