Ritchie, Melissa

About Dr. Pavey Deborah Pavey, MD, can pinpoint the exact year she decided to come a physician. When she was a sophomore in high school, her family spent a lot of time at Riley Hospital for Children, due to her siblings’ various medical conditions. “I grew to love the physician-patient relationship,” she says. “Once I discovered my love for anatomy in high school, my heart was set on medicine.” Dr. Pavey does not come from a family of doctors. Instead, her family members were teachers, farmers, and scientists. “A nice mix of all types of knowledge,” she says. Indiana University School of Medicine: Rural Health Program, Terre Haute, is where she earned her Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Pavey completed her Family Medicine Residency at Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Program in South Bend. She chose her specialty, because Family Medicine allows her to care for all ages and people from all walks of life. “I love longitudinal, preventative care and making great relationships with my patients and their families.” These patients have taught her the importance of patience and of giving grace to yourself and others. “If you take the time to see things from someone else’s perspective, you are a much better partner in their care,” she says. In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? My mother. A brilliant scientist, faithful Christian, and wonderful mother and wife. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I was a summer camp counselor for pre-school children. I learned the importance of nap time and snack time, in that order. What is your favorite food? Movie? Favorite food: Any type of bread! Favorite movie: While You Were Sleeping What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? My best subject was literature and my worst was math. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? My grandmother. She passed away at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and was longing to see me graduate from medical school and finish residency. I miss her wisdom and her laughter. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Food! I love baking, cooking, knitting and hiking. What is something most people don’t know about you? I seriously considered becoming a marine biologist in college. But I found people to be much more interesting than fish.