Food, Health and Fitness
Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, July 17,
199715
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Dr. Meloro, 'Marching thru 50 years of health card'
by L. H. Stronach
Gazette Staff
When asked to briefly describe what a DO is, Summit
Family Healthcare's only physican, Dr. Angelo Meloro,
replied, "If you take an MD and send him to chiropractic
training, you would have a doctor of osteopathic medicine."
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is an MD with
manipulation. Some medical
doctors are beginning to insti-
tute that aspect into their treat-
ment plans.
From age 16 until he was 20
years old, Meloro was a musi-
cian. During hisjunioryearin
gh school he began playing
vith the school band. He con-
tinued his musical career until
he finished pre-med.
"I played for "circuses on
rubber' meaning a circus that
Dr. Meloro travels by van and truck." Cir-
cuses like Ringling Brothers,
Barnum and Bailey were known as rail service, or circus by
train.
"I spent one season on the road playing with the Dan Rice
Circus Band," said Meloro. Sleeping in a hotel versus
sleeping in a truck was the exception rather than the rule.
Meloro, born Sept. 4, 1921, in Binghamton, N.Y., re-
members most of his early days were involved in music.
During high school he learned to play the trumpet. At the
age of 17 he wrote and published a march called "The
Binghamton Sun March."
Meloro's brother, who was a doctor, inspired him to
consider medicine as a career. "I looked up to my older
brother. That influenced my decision to become a doctor."
he said.
When Meloro completed pre-med at Syracuse Univer-
sity, he said farewell to his musical career to concentrate on
becoming a doctor. "From then on my evenings were no
longer mine."
In 1945 he began hi training at Philadelphia College of
Osteopathic Medicine. After graduating in 1948 he went on
to Metro Health Hospital, in Erie, Pa., to complete his
internship.
His first practice in general medicine, was in Waterford
Pa., from 1949-57. During those years he took a sabbatical
to attend Dover Clinic in Boston for proctology training.
From t957-69 Meloro worked at Metro Health Clinic.
He left there to open a private practice. From 1970-89
Meloro operated The Family Medicine Clinic in Socorro,
N.M.
In 1972 Meloro did his Fellowship in Plastic Surgery at
Loma Linda Hospital in Mexico City. While in Mexico he
observed that physicians there appeared to have more
latitude and were not required to do residencies. They were
able to cross the lines between specialty areas comfortably.
Those procedures done in Mexico, if done in the U.S.,
would have been performed by a specialist."
After Meloro's fn'st retirement in 1989, 'Whe Party of
Concerned Citizens of Socorro decided that they needed
me. They insisted that I should run for mayorl " He was
elected Mayor of Socorro and served for one year.
From 1990-91, Meloro was Medical Director at Cation
County Medical Clinic. After leaving there he worked at La
Casa Buena Salud in Portales, N.M., as a staff physician.
During the same period he was a staffphysician at the State
Correctional Facility in Santa Fe, N.M.
"I always had the 'screwy' idea that I would like to retire
in Las Vegas." In 1992, he accepted a position with the
Canon Senior Citizens Clinic in Las Vegas.
While working at the Canon Clinic, Meloro and his wife
lived in their recreational vehicle at an RV park. "We
became disillusioned with Las Vegas' congestion and be-
gan looking around the small towns in Nevada." In the
process of looking they came upon Pahrump. Instantly, his
wife loved it.
"At one point I had told the clinic medical director we
wanted to build a house in Pahrump and commute, stated
Meloro. One day the director asked, "Do you still want to
live in Pahrump?" He informed Meloro that Family Emer-
gency Medical Center in Pahrump was looking for a doctor.
They made an offer on the Friday he went to see them.
"They asked me to start the next Monday. First, I asked if
I could take a vacation. I hadn't had a vacation in quite
awhile, said Meloro.
He continued, "They're response was 'we have no cov-
erage; could you come next Monday?' I made a deal and
came out three days later." So, naturally, when asked why
he chose Pahrump, Meloro replied: "My wife, Peggy, fell
in love with Pahrump."
In 1993 Meloro came to Pahrump to work. When Family
Emergency Medical was taken over by Desert Springs
Hospital in 1996 he remained on staff. On Mondays and
Tuesdays he can be seen at the clinic.
When asked about his interests or hobbies Meloro re-
sponded, "I like to fish! I still enjoy my music. I am
working on another march. When I get more time I will
finish it. Of course, I enjoy gardening and watching my
garden grow." He said, "My wife and I love to dine out and
travel in our motor home."
The Meloro family also consists of daughter, Angela,
who has just recently received her RN degree.
As for health care plans, Meloro feels that Fee for Service
"has gotten out of hand with extravagant fees. As for
HMOs. 1) Physicians are charging more and getting paid
less. 2) The amount of service to the patient has decreased.
3) You can't prescribe newer, more expensive drugs unless
the patient can pay for it because insurances won't cover
them.
"Suffice it to say," he said "There are new antibiotics on
the market. These require a daily dose, are easier to admin-
ister and for the patient to remember to take. In most cases,
we can't prescribe them unless the patient is willing to pay
the full price."
From Meloro's objective the future of medicine is bleak,
"without HMOs the poor guy's up a creek. It will strictly
be for those who can afford good comprehensive care at full
rate. It depends on how drug companies will come in line
with prices they charge."
As for theclinic's future, Meloro stated "Summit Family
Healthcare is very viable and will survive," he continued,
"How I fit into that future depends on Summit and how long
I am able to work. I am going to be 76 and don't have much
of a future."
As for what Pahrump needs, Meloro states, "I think we
need one or two more pharmacies and supermarkets; a little
more fair competition and like every community we need to
crack down on drug use. And we need more stoplights !"
When presented with the'question of health care in the
rural setting, Meloro said, "It's getting better! As long as
clinics will employ retired experienced doctors it is good. A
lot better than it has been in the past!"
Comparing medicine from the 1940s to that of the 1990s,
Meloro laughed and commented, "Holy Oysterst 1) We had
no penicillin when I started. We used sulfa drugs. In those
days we sat on pneumonias anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Now
we have a host of antibiotics. 2) There were no computer-
ized EKGs, you had to have a specialist in cardiology read
every one. 3) There were no computerized radiographics
to diagnose discreet pathologies and tumors."
Before computerized technology, diagnosing was all
physical. "We used to say watch out when the corn gets ripe.
You could expect polio outbreak. You used your eyes,
ears, touch, and training. Now it's almost push button
medicine."
In Meloro's opinion, the most serious health problem in
today's youth is HIV, but only second to drug dependency.
In middle age, health problems are the same as in his
early years in practice. "Those were diabetes, hypertension
and cancer. Surgical problems are the same but techniques
have improved." In other words, thanks to technology,
diagnosing and treating is easier.
Meloro feels that seniors have more Alzheimer's. But
then years ago, much was classed as dementia including
syphilic dementia, which has pretty much been eradicated
by antibiotics. As usual, there is the physical deterioration
from arthritis."
Meloro related a comical situation he dealt with during
the time he practiced in New Mexico When I was in Socorro
practicing, a guy was thrown from his horse. He was throwll
directly onto a sequoia cactus, backside first, I spent two
hours pulling out cactus spurs from his bottom. The patient
wasn't amused, especially because I couldn't stop laugh-
ing. Each time I pulled out a spur I envisioned him landing
on the cactus plant!"
The most heart-rendering situation during his career was
"Probably unexpected death. A patient is doing well and
then you get a call telling you he has suddenly died!"
As for what Meloro does in his spare time when he is not
gardening, enjoying music, dining out or traveling in his
RV. He replied, "What else is there to do? Actually, I read
journals and keep up with my CMEs (continuing medical
education)."
The accomplishment he is most proud of is "being a
doctor and the march I wrotS:as a kid. As for the march I am
working on, possibly I'll call it 'The Pahrump March!'"
