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Melissa Dohme 

Shared Her Story at the 2018 Christy’s Hope Gala.

It’s a true miracle that Melissa Dohme Hill is alive and healthy today. In January of 2012, her high school ex-boyfriend brutally attacked her by stabbing her 32 times in the neck, face, arms, and hands attempting to take her life. The attack caused her entire blood volume to be replaced twice, resulting her to flat-line four times and suffer a stroke in the emergency room. Following that horrific night and her miraculous recovery, Melissa developed the conviction to become an advocate and speak out against domestic violence. She has shared her story with thousands of people, speaking at various domestic violence events, conferences, high schools, and colleges. Melissa has been featured in national and international publications and television shows, including: People Magazine, 48 HOURS “Live to Tell”, Inside Edition, Good Morning America, Today Show, BBC News, Fox News, CNN, Nancy Grace on HLN, Investigative Discovery and many more.

In recognition of her effective advocacy in the community, Melissa has been awarded CASA’s 2013 Victory Over Violence award, WEDU’s 2016 Be More Outspoken: Voice of Tampa Bay Award, and the Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force’s 2016 Outstanding Achievement in Preventing Domestic Violence Award.
Despite doctors advising a break due to her traumatic brain injury, Melissa returned immediately to college and never gave up on her education! In 2012, she was awarded St. Petersburg College Clearwater’s Student of the Year and honored as the commencement speaker for her Associates Degree. In May of 2016, she proudly reached her ultimate goal and graduated with honors, Summa Cum Laude (3.9 GPA), for her Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management & Organizational Leadership.

Today, Melissa proudly works for a Tampa Bay nonprofit organization, Hands Across the Bay, as a Domestic Violence Prevention Advocate & Speaker. She feels everyday that she walks into work to help others, she is fulfilling her life purpose of why she was saved that horrific night.

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