Our Mission & Vision for Vestibular Recovery

The mission

Hawaiʻi faces a significant provider shortage. High living costs and low insurance reimbursements make it difficult for clinics to stay open and for employers to offer competitive wages compared to the mainland. Specialty providers— including physical therapists, neurologists, and ENTs experienced in treating dizziness and balance disorders—are especially limited. With residents spread across multiple islands, access becomes even harder.

Hawai'i Dizziness and Balance Therapy aims to remove these barriers. Melissa provides timely, specialized vestibular care without delays caused by insurance limitations, visit caps, or referral requirements.

The vision

Through telehealth, patients on all islands can access high-quality vestibular rehabilitation quickly and conveniently. By eliminating the need for physician referrals or insurance authorization, care is delivered without unnecessary restrictions. Melissa can provide in person appointments to local patients living on the Big Island also.

Beginning in 2026, Hawai'i Dizziness and Balance Therapy will also offer continuing education courses for rehabilitation professionals, helping expand the number of providers in Hawaiʻi who can deliver exceptional vestibular care.

Meet Melissa Chaudoin DPT, AIB-VRC

Melissa is a physical therapist specializing in dizziness and balance disorders, with more than 12 years of dedicated experience in vestibular rehabilitation. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Misericordia University in 2009 and completed her transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2011. Her first introduction to vestibular rehab was in 2013. She completed certification for Vestibular Rehab and Concussion Management in 2018 through the American Institute of Balance. More recently, in 2023, she furthered her qualifications with Vestibular Rehabilitation Competency from Duke University School of Medicine. She continues her commitment to ongoing advanced vestibular professional education and development.

She moved to the Big Island in 2013 and has been serving Hawai‘i communities ever since. From 2009 to 2024, Melissa worked in skilled nursing settings, and in 2013 expanded her practice to include outpatient vestibular rehabilitation. She has helped hundreds of patients improve stability, reduce dizziness, and regain confidence in daily life. Her clinical experience spans middle-aged and older adults, as well as young adults—recognizing that dizziness can affect individuals at any age (even keiki).

Over the years, Melissa has become a trusted referral resource for local primary care providers, neurologists, and ENT specialists who rely on her expertise in evaluating and treating complex vestibular conditions.

Melissa is one of the few providers on the Big Island with advanced vestibular training and access to specialized technology, including goggles for vision-suppressed testing and the Vertigenius™ system for exercise prescription with biofeedback built in. She is skilled at integrating technology to deliver precise, effective care.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys traveling and spending time at the beach.