Melissa Santos, PhD

Division Head, Pediatric Psychology | Clinical Director, Obesity Center

Dr. Santos is a psychologist specializing in the family treatment of pediatric obesity. She works with adolescents and their families preparing for bariatric surgery and families participating in non-surgical weight management programming. Dr. Santos supervises psychology and medical students in clinical and research activities within the obesity program. In addition to her work at Connecticut Children’s, Dr. Santos serves as the President of the Society of Pediatric Psychology.

Education

PhD, Texas Tech University

Residency

The Medical College of Georgia/Augusta VA Psychology Residency Consortium

Fellowship

The Medical College of Georgia, Hartford Hospital/The Institute of Living

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine

  • Santos, M., Cadieux, A., Gray, J. & Ward, W. (2016). Pediatric Obesity in Early Childhood: A Physician Screening Tool. Clinical Pediatrics, 55, 356-362.
  • Cadieux, A., Getzoff, E., Baughcum, A., Shaffer, L., Santos, M., Gaffka, B., Gray, J., Burton, E. & Ward, W. (2016). Recommendations for Psychologists in Stage III Pediatric Obesity Programs. Children’s Health Care, 45, 126-145.
  • Gray, J.S., Cadieux, A., Sweeney, B., Beck, A., Edgar, S., Eneli, I., Getzoff Testa, E., Paguio, K., Santos, M., & Ward, W. (in press). Medical neglect and pediatric obesity: Insights from tertiary care obesity treatment programs. Children’s Health Care.
  • Astur, R.S., Carew, A.W., Palmisano, A., Deaton, B.E., Kuhney, F., Niezrecki, R., & Santos, M. (2016). Cravings in a Virtual Reality Room Paired with Chocolate Predict Eating Disorder Risk. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development, 9, 9-19.
  • Santos, M., Murtaugh, T., Pantaleao, A. Zempsky, W. & Guite, J. (In Press) Chronic Pain and Obesity within a Pediatric Interdisciplinary Pain Clinic Setting: A Preliminary Examination of Current Relationships and Future Directions. Clinical Journal of Pain.
  • View Dr. Santos’s full list of publications

Recent Blog Posts by Melissa Santos, PhD

A young girl sits and looks sadly at her phone
Blog - Growing Healthy

How Social Media Impacts Mental Health and Changes Brain Activity, and What to Do

A child holding smiley faces showing different expressions.
Blog - Advancing Kids

Transforming Mental Health Support for Your Child: Connecticut Children’s Commitment

Adults sitting on wooden wall
Blog - Growing Healthy

Honoring BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

Mother and teenager daughter talk with therapist
Blog - Growing Healthy

5 Mental Health Tips for Kids This Winter