Melanie Barnard, MD, is an Assistant Professor of clinical surgery in the Department of Surgery at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She also serves as Program Director for the General Surgery Residency program and Medical Director for The Breast Center. Her practice focus is breast cancer and benign breast disease surgery, but includes hernia repair, gallbladder surgery, and gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Her research focus is on surgical education and simulation design. She has designed multiple low-cost, high-fidelity laparoscopic simulations that are used to train surgeons globally. 

Barnard completed her surgical residency at SIU School of Medicine. She graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 2014. 

She is board certified by the American Board of Surgery. Her professional affiliations include the American College of Physicians, American Society of Breast Surgeons, American College of Surgery and Association of Women Surgeons.