Mindfulness Meditation Teacher

Melanie Hoetsu Jessen, DO

Melanie is certified by ZLMC as a “Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher”.

Dr. Melanie Jessen is a family medicine physician, osteopathic educator, and devoted practitioner of mindfulness and meditation. Raised in the Chicagoland area, she was inspired by her mother—a woman of deep compassion and open-hearted listening who embodied Buddhist principles despite her Southern Baptist upbringing.

Dr. Jessen earned her BA in Music with a minor in Dance from the University of Illinois, and her medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. For 25 years, she has served as Director of Osteopathic Education and full-time faculty member at West Suburban Medical Center's family medicine residency program, dividing her time between patient care and teaching future physicians.

A mother of six, Dr. Jessen's approach to medicine and life integrates body, mind, and spirit. She is a certified hatha yoga instructor, dances with Intuit Dance Studio, and finds renewal through nature activities and travel to beautiful landscapes.

Introduced to meditation during college, Dr. Jessen has deepened her practice through the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and Buddhist philosophy. She joined Zen Life & Meditation Center seeking the transformative power of group meditation and the support of a Sangha. Her spiritual practice centers on the Four Immeasurables—loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity—which she strives to bring to every interaction.

"I find meditation refuels my compassion for myself, my family, my patients, and society," Dr. Jessen reflects. "Every time I come to ZLMC, I learn something, and my spiritual practice deepens."

Smiling woman with short red hair, glasses on her head, wearing a floral shirt outdoors.
  • A woman with curly hair and a black shirt, wearing a red apron, is praying with her hands together in front of a woman with gray hair and glasses, wearing a black kimono, who is also praying. There is a vase with purple and blue flowers on the table, which is covered with a patterned cloth. The scene appears to be a spiritual or religious ceremony.

    Student Ceremonies

  • A Buddhist monk in orange robes and an older man in a brown jacket with hands in prayer position are having a conversation outdoors near a beige wall and some greenery.

    Buddhist Services

  • People sitting in a circle during a discussion or meeting in a cozy, well-lit room. One person is holding a microphone and smiling, while others are listening attentively.

    Conversations with teachers

  • People sitting in a room, engaging in a meditation or prayer session with their eyes closed, facing forward.

    Meditation