Hi, and welcome — I’m so glad you’re here.
When a family entrusts us with the care of someone they love, they are placing one of life’s greatest responsibilities in our hands. I never take that lightly. Every family deserves to know their loved one is safe, respected, and genuinely cared for — and that belief is the reason I opened Avendelle at Picardy Point.
Psychology, healthcare, and a life spent learning to help.
My educational foundation is a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a concentration in Business, from Appalachian State University. I chose psychology because my mission has always been to learn how to help others.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve built my career in healthcare, biotechnology, and clinical research — leading teams focused on quality, operations, and the delivery of care. That work taught me a lesson that shapes everything we do at Picardy Point: exceptional care comes from compassionate people, strong leadership, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right.
With my dad — my greatest role model.
My father taught me integrity, hard work, and respect.
My greatest role model has always been my father — a United States Air Force veteran and successful business owner. He taught me the importance of integrity, hard work, and treating every person with kindness and respect. Those values continue to guide me every day.
He is also the reason this home exists. When I watched what our family went through searching for the right care for him, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be to choose the right home for someone you love. I promised myself that if I ever built a place of my own, it would be the kind of home I wished had existed for him.
A warm, family-like home where every resident is known personally.
At Avendelle at Picardy Point, our commitment is simple: to create a warm, family-like home where every resident is known personally, treated with dignity and compassion, and cared for with the same kindness and respect I would want for my own loved ones.
It is truly an honor to serve our residents and support families through one of life’s most important decisions. Thank you for considering Avendelle at Picardy Point — we would be honored to welcome your family into ours.
Melissa Rich
Owner & Operator, Avendelle at Picardy Point