Shirley Rigaud-Echols, MD, FACOG
Shirley Rigaud-Echols, MD, is a highly skilled women’s health specialist with a passion for personable care. Through her practice at Dekalb OB/GYN Affiliates in Decatur, Georgia, Dr. Rigaud-Echols is honored to play a role supporting the health of women of all ages.
Dr. Rigaud-Echols has always enjoyed expanding her knowledge. She began her studies at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Newark, where she majored in biology. She went on to complete medical school at Pennsylvania State University before moving to New York for an OB/GYN residency at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Her professional positions include serving as an OB/GYN at several hospitals, clinics, and practices. Dr. Rigaud-Echols has been in private practice at Dekalb OB/GYN Affiliates for a decade. This position has been incredibly rewarding and allows Dr. Rigaud-Echols and her team to build lasting relationships with the women in their care.
Personalized care is important to Dr. Rigaud-Echols. She takes the time to listen to her patients and learn not only their current symptoms and concerns, but also their long-term health and wellness goals. This allows Dr. Rigaud-Echols to craft a customized treatment plan that meets her patients’ specific needs.
Appointments are never rushed, and time is always built in for questions and patient education. The focus is on empowering women to take control of their own health journeys. Dr. Rigaud-Echols views her role as a partner in that process.
Women searching for a caring, compassionate provider with an impressive body of experience and training should schedule a time to meet with Dr. Rigaud-Echols and her all-female team. Scheduling is as easy as a phone call, and online booking is also an option.
I am a preceptor and involved in graduate education and training of professionals and have students in our office.
Melika Griffin, FNP-C
Originally from the great state of Kansas and daughter of Kansas City Chiefs #1 fan, Melika obtained her Bachelor of Nursing from Baker University in Kansas.
Melika moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1997 and began working first as an Orthopedic Med-Surg nurse then switching to Neonatal nursing at Dekalb Medical Center. She would remain at Dekalb Medical and participate in the care of especially preterm infants from the delivery and operating room to discharge for the next 20 years. She has been a witness to many life saving innovations and creative solutions which continue to help grow and maintain preterm infants.
Two high points of her career include helping to build a new NICU at a sister hospital and facilitating educational opportunities for NICU parents.
What she most enjoyed as a Neonatal nurse was creating long term relationships with parents and families during their stay. It comes as no surprise that Melika sought to replace that connection by seeking an advanced degree in Family Nurse Practitioner Program in 2017 from Walden University.
Melika passed her FNP boards that same year and joined Dekalb OB/GYN Affiliates in March 2017.
Melika has been a very busy and popular member of TEAM DOGA . Patients will wait for Melika because of her personable but direct approach and her euphemistic “OK!”
Most recently she has helped serve as a community preceptor for nursing students in our office.
In her spare time, Melika enjoys traveling ,reading and spending time with her family. In January 2021, Melika looks forward to launching our Baby Brunch Child Preparation Classes on Friday mornings at our office.