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Melissa is a serial entrepreneur with significant accomplishments, success, and recognition. As a visionary and co-founder of PetRays, Melissa has made a lasting impact in the field of veterinary care. In 2006, while owning a busy award-winning staffing franchise, Melissa also served as the Sales and Marketing Director for Horizon Radiology, providing emergency teleradiology services to medical facilities across 37 states.
Melissa's journey with PetRays began when her co-founder's English bulldog, King, fell ill in 2006. Surprised by the lack of readily available teleradiology services for King, Melissa leveraged her expertise and experience from Horizon Radiology to co-found PetRays and fill this critical void.
PetRays quickly rose to prominence, earning accolades and recognition for its exceptional growth. In 2010 and 2011, PetRays was named one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., securing spots on the prestigious Inc. 500 list. During this time, PetRays became the leading worldwide provider of veterinary telemedicine services. Remarkably, Melissa achieved all of this while continuing her employment at Horizon Radiology, showcasing her exceptional dedication and multitasking abilities.
Melissa's outstanding contributions and leadership have not gone unnoticed. In 2009, she was awarded the prestigious Gold Stevie Award for Best Young Entrepreneur, marking the beginning of a remarkable streak of success. PetRays went on to win numerous Stevie Awards for excellence in support and service, rapid growth, and People's Choice awards. By 2015, they had amassed an impressive collection of twenty-one Gold Stevie awards, fourteen Silver Stevie awards, twenty-one Bronze Stevie awards, twenty-two People's Choice Stevie awards, and one Grand Stevie award.
The launch of the CardioVet ECG device in 2013 marked another significant milestone in this journey. Tragically, King, the English bulldog who had inspired Melissa's dedication to veterinary care, passed away due to an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia in 2012. In response, PetRays assembled a team of biomedical and computer engineers to develop the CardioVet ECG device, supplementing their services. This innovative device garnered recognition and acclaim, winning a Gold Stevie in 2014 for its customer service department and a People's Choice award for favorite new product. The new cardiac service was appropriately named "King of Hearts" in honor of King, the English bulldog..
As veterinary medicine and technology continued to evolve, Melissa and co-founders recognized the need for dedicated emergency telehealth services. In response, she co-founded Golden Hour to address this pressing demand. Golden Hour leverages the rapid expansion of digital technology in the veterinary space to deliver rapid and accurate telemedicine consultations within the critical "golden hour" after traumatic injuries. This transformative company is poised to revolutionize emergency telehealth services worldwide.
Melissa's lifetime of achievements extends far beyond her professional endeavors. In the face of personal adversity, she persevered and excelled. At the age of 19, while attending college, Melissa tragically lost her mother to cancer, taking on the responsibility of raising her younger brother. Despite these challenges, she used a modest inheritance to buy a staffing franchise while working for Horizon Radiology, demonstrating her resilience, determination, and perseverance.
Melissa's commitment to her family is as unwavering as her dedication to her entrepreneurial pursuits. Over the past twenty-five years, while accomplishing remarkable feats, she has also raised three daughters, two of whom have graduated from college with honors, while the youngest is currently pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering.
In addition to her professional and personal achievements, Melissa is deeply committed to giving back. She endowed the Fields Tugwell Endowed Scholarship at her alma mater, a perennial scholarship that tells her inspiring story and encourages future generations to follow their passions.
Melissa's lifetime of accomplishments, resilience in the face of adversity, and unwavering dedication to excellence make her an extraordinary candidate for this Lifetime Achievement Award. Her visionary leadership and transformative ventures have revolutionized the field of veterinary care, and her commitment to her team, community, and family serves as an inspiration to all who have the privilege of knowing her.
Nomination Title: Melissa Fields-Tugwell
