Dr. Lang was born in northern California and spent the majority of her early life in Minnesota and North Dakota. Dr. Lang completed her undergraduate training at Union College in Lincoln, NE. After graduating with High Distinction with her Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1991 from the University of Nebraska, Dr. Lang completed a one-year General Practice Residency in Hospital Dentistry at the University of Washington and affiliated hospitals in Seattle, Washington. In 1992, Melanie returned to the University of Nebraska where she completed a one-year Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Clinical and Research Fellowship.
Dr. Lang completed a six-year dual degree Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency program at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1999. Melanie graduated with honors with her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1996. Dr. Lang has a special interest in Facial Cosmetic Surgery and pursued subspecialty training in Maxillofacial Cosmetic Surgery at the University of Alabama in Birmingham which she completed in 2000.
Dr. Lang has enjoyed practicing in Spokane since she joined Spokane Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in July of 2000. Dr. Lang sees surgical patients at all three Spokane Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery AAAHC and JCAHO accredited office sites. Dr. Lang is also on staff at all the major Spokane hospitals and medical centers and is a Board Certified Surgeon and Diplomat of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and National Dental Board of Anesthesiology.
Currently, Dr. Lang serves as a member on the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations and as a consultant to the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Committee on Hospital & Interprofessional Affairs. She has also served on an ADA Elder Care Research Committee. Dr. Lang has served on the Spokane District Dental Society Executive council and served as President of the Washington State Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons from 2004-2005. Dr. Lang is also a member of several local Dental, Hospital and Medical committees. In addition, Dr. Lang is a member of several professional organizations including: American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, American College of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons, American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgeons, American Dental Society of Anesthesiologists, American Medical Association, American Dental Association, Washington State Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Western Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Spokane County Medical Society, Spokane County Dental Society, American College of Oral Implantologists and International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
Dr. Lang enjoys teaching dental and medical students and has been a small group instructor in Introduction to Clinical Medicine since the inception of the Spokane based WWAMI/RIDE programs in 2008. Dr. Lang has also enjoyed traveling in a professional capacity to provide surgical care outside of the United States. She has volunteered her time on several occasions to provide surgical care in South America with a non-profit organization, Hearts in Motion. In addition, she has also traveled on surgical missions to Bosnia with a non-profit group, Care for Children.
Dr. Lang is married to Michael Stutz, who works as a computer consultant. Dr. Lang enjoys outdoor activities including biking, running, hiking and horseback riding. She is also an avid Nebraska Husker and Florida Gator fan. For relaxation and hobbies, Melanie enjoys animals, collecting antiques, stamps and coins, as well as, traveling and spending time with her family, friends and Sid.