2025 TNP OF THE YEAR
MELANIE RICHBURG
Dr. Melanie Ann Richburg is former CEO for Lynn County Healthcare System (LCHS) in Tahoka, Texas. Prior to transitioning into this role in 2018, Melanie worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Family Wellness Rural Health Clinic for 16 years, serving not only the community of Tahoka, but many other rural communities in nearby counties on the South Plains. Dr. Richburg is excited to continue her journey to care for Rural Texans as a member of the Medical Staff at Brownfield Regional Medical Center.
Transplanting her love of rural health to this rural area for over 20 years, Melanie has leveraged resources to improve the infrastructure of healthcare offered to this population on a variety of levels. She has been a dedicated advocate in advanced practice nursing and leadership; ensuring nurses, staff and other healthcare professionals have the resources necessary on the front line of patient care, in conjunction with executive levels and state partners ensuring the community has access to emergency and inpatient care, and comprehensive preventive health services across the lifespan. More recently, Dr. Richburg has received grant funding from the FCC, USDA and academic clinical partners to assist in the placement of telemedicine equipment in schools, geriatric long-term care homes and correctional care units. Dr. Richburg has expanded primary care delivery sites across multiple counties in the communities of Post, New Home, Borden County and O’Donnell. In 2021, Lynn County Healthcare System received the prestigious recognition of becoming one of the “Top 20” Critical Access Hospitals in the nation by the National Rural Health Association. Dr. Richburg’s dedication to fulfilling the vision of LCHS is evident in that she and her teams have truly brought “Healthcare Closer to Home” … for more rural communities in Texas.
Melanie grew up on a 180 acre cotton farm in Rural West Texas and being able to make a difference in delivering healthcare to Rural America is a dream come true. “Love what you do… and do what you love” is one of her favorite sayings. Dr. Richburg loves Rural America and feels blessed every day she can give and share with her rural community.
