Melanie N. Truong-Le, DO, OD
Specialties: Neuro-Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology
Gender: Female
Biography: I went to medical school to become a “DOOD”. The word makes me smile, but it also marks a journey shaped by transformation and gratitude.
Born near the end of the Vietnam War, I grew up in the shadow of my parents’ courage. They left behind everything they loved so their children could have a chance to dream freely. That sacrifice became my compass. Raised in Kansas, I learned early the value of resilience, humility, and service.
I began my career as an optometrist, drawn to the beauty of sight and the joy of teaching. But after losing a loved one to a neurologic illness, my purpose deepened. I returned to medical school, trained as a neurologist, and ultimately found my calling at the intersection of both worlds—neuro-ophthalmology.
Today, I am profoundly grateful to practice in a field that bridges vision and the brain, science and humanity. Every patient reminds me why I chose this path: to see clearly, serve deeply, and honor those who made my journey possible.
My Approach to Healthcare
My approach to patient care is to be individualized and realize that it is such a privilege to be present for another person's vulnerabilities. That is a level of trust that is given without reservation, and I do not take it lightly. I truly enjoy understanding the pathophysiology of diseases & health and work diligently to explain things that appear complex and hard to decipher. I enjoy that challenge like I enjoy learning math and finding a solution to a problem that seems unsurmountable. I believe that the key to any patient care is the "presence" and I seek to be present for all of my patients and the people in my life. It is that simple.
Practice Locations
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Lakeland Medical - UMMC
764 Lakeland Drive, Jackson, MS 39216 View Location |
Accepted Insurance Plans
The University of Mississippi Medical Center accepts all plans, but may not be an in-network provider with your plan. We encourage you to contact your insurer and ask if the plan is in network with UMMC. Always contact your insurance carrier for specific coverage information.
*Note: Grenada and Holmes County locations have different payor contracts. Oral Surgeons are considered in-network to the medical health plans listed below NOT dental.
Jackson and Madison
Medicare health insurance plans
- Devoted Health
- Humana Medicare Advantage
- Medicare - Fee for Service
- Railroad Medicare - Fee for Service
- Shared Health Mississippi
- United Healthcare (except HMO)
- Vantage Health Plan - Medicare Advantage
- Wellcare - Medicare Advantage
Medicaid health plans
- Mississippi Medicaid Fee for Service
- MS CAN Plans: Magnolia, Molina, TrueCare
- MS CHIP: Magnolia, Molina, TrueCare
Dental plans
- Always Care
- Avesis
- Medicaid Fee for Service
- MS CAN: Magnolia Health Plan, Molina HealthCare, TrueCare
- Ambetter
- Unum
Vision plans
- EyeMed
- First Look
- March Vision
Behavioral health plans
- United Behavioral Health
- Cigna Behavioral Health
Commercial, Marketplace and other health plans
- Aetna Health Management (excludes UMMC Madison)
- Ambetter
- American Life Care - PHCS/Multiplan
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi
- BCBS Federal
- Celtic (Transplants)
- Cigna PPO (excludes transplants; excludes UMMC Madison)
- Corvel Healthcare Corp (Workers Comp.)
- First Choice Health Plan - includes Humana PPO Commercial, but not Humana Medicare Advantage
- First Health Network/Coventry - Aetna
- Government Employees Health Insurance Association (GEHA) - United Healthcare
- Interlink Health Services (Transplant)
- LifeTrac (Transplant)
- Mississippi Department of Rehab Services (MDRS)
- Mississippi Physicians Care Network (MPCN)
- Mississippi State and School Employees' Health Insurance Plan (AHS Network administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi)
- Multiplan - PHCS/American Life Care
- North Mississippi Health Link
- OptumHealth Care Solutions, Inc. (Transplant)
- OptumHealth VA CCN
- PPO Plus, LLC/Zelis/Stratose
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Tricare
- United Healthcare: PPO Commercial (excludes HMO)
- Vantage Health Plan: Commercial, PPACA Plan
- Veterans Administration
Education
| Board Certification: | Ophthalmology, Neuro-ophthalmology |
| Fellowship: | Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary |
| Fellowship: | University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics |
| Graduate School: | Pennsylvania College of Optometry |
| Medical Education: | Texas College Of Osteopathic Medicine |
Experience
Current Positions
| Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mississippi Medical Center - Ophthalmology | 01/2025 - Present |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Licensure, Mississippi Medical License | 07/2025 - 06/2026 |
| Certification, ABPN Neurology |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Fellow Distinction, North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society | 2025 |
| Frank B. Walsh Case selected 2024, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society | 2024 |
| Best Abstract by a Fellow Award 2019 “Reflex Upper and Lower Eyelid Movements in Response to Light Stimuli”, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society | 2019 |
| International Headache Academy Scholarship, International Headache Academy | 2019 |
| Stephen Damm Memorial Award For excellence and compassion in paent care in Neurology presented by the Stephen Damm Family, UTSW Neurology Residency | 2018 |
| Parkland Neurology Resident of the Year, Parkland Hospitals & Clinics | 2018 |
| Arnold P Gold Humanism Award Recognion of exemplary service, integrity, clinical excellence, and compassion, UTSW Arnold P. Gold Humanism | 2018 |
| International Headache Academy Scholarship, International Headache Academy | 2018 |
| Frontiers in Headache Research Scholarship Research project – “Correlaon of Visual Funcon and Naonal Eye Instute Visual Funcon Quesonnaire in Subjects with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.” , American Headache Society | 2017 |