Melissa Colchado

Melissa Colchado is the Executive Director of Health Science programs for the office of the provost. In this role she supports the integration and alignment of several key academic health science centers within the office of the provost including the Arizona Health Education Center (AHEC), the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center (ASTEC), and the Interprofessional Clinical & Professional Skills Center (ICaPS). She also supports coordination between numerous other academic health programs across the university. Colchado works closely with the university’s clinical and community partners to raise the profile and impact of the U of A’s health science programs across the state.  

Most recently Colchado served as the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Planning as well as the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Senior Vice President for the University of Arizona Health Sciences. In this role, Colchado oversaw strategic planning for the U of A Health Sciences unit and supported interprofessional collaboration across five health sciences colleges. She led teams dedicated to communications, corporate and community relations as well as events management on behalf of the SVP’s office. Prior to joining the U of A, Colchado served as a Director of Internal and Executive Communications as well as a Senior executive coordinator, for the president of Banner Health’s Banner - University Medicine Division.

She brings more than 20 years’ experience in higher education and academic health care settings, successfully coordinating clinical, research and teaching missions for the university and its clinical partners.