Dr Merritt was born in Mankato, MN and has lived all over the world since then, including Sierra Leone, Africa where her family served as missionaries. She completed her EMT-Basic Certification in 2002, and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2004. She proceeded to the University of North Texas- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she completed her D.O. degree in 2008. During medical school, she held several offices in both the American and Texas Medical Associations, and was recognized for her community service efforts. She completed one year of General Surgery internship in 2009 at the UT Health Science Center before taking the inaugural position in the UT-HSC Cardiothoracic Surgery Integrated Residency. She currently holds positions on the TSRA (Thoracic Surgery Residency Association) Executive Committee, and the ACGME Thoracic Surgery RRC (Residency Review Committee). Dr Merritt is married, and has a stepson (Easton) and an 18-month old son (Dax). In her spare time, she enjoys creative writing, playing tennis, road biking and most of all, spending time with her family.
Education
DO, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 2008
BA, Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, 2004
Publications
Stasik, C; Merritt, HM. Aortic Valve in TSRA Primer of Cardiothoracic Surgery. In press- 2013.
Reddy, V.S., McNeil, J. D., Crozier, M. W., Merritt, H. M. Hybrid Endovascular Pseudoaneurysm and Pulmonary Stenosis Repair in Bovine Arch. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2011: Volume: 91
Presentations
Merritt, HM; Johnson, SB, Bayer, J, et al. Retrospective review of single surgeon, multi-institution experience in esophageal stents. Speaking Presentation at Aust Society Annual Resident Paper Competition, 2012
Merritt, HM; Reddy SV. A Novel Technique for Sternal Reconstruction for Complex Sternal Breakdown. Speaking Presentation at South Texas ACS Conference, 2011
Parikh, P; Kakar, K, Sordo, S; Merritt, HM et al. Gallbladder Perforation: Increased Risk in a Population Associated with Lower Body Mass Index- Poster Presentation SAGES, 2010
Merritt, HM. Hybrid Endovascular Repair of Complex Thoracic Pseudoaneurysm in Variant Anatomy: A Case Report– Speaking Presentation at South Texas ACS Conference, 2010
Merritt, HM; Richa de Arco, J. Combined use of Progressive Pneumoperitoneum and Component Separation With Biological Mesh Prosthesis for Reconstruction of Giant Ventral Abdominal Wall Hernia with Loss of Domain: A Case Report– Poster Presentation at Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Conference, 2009
Honors & Awards
Women in Thoracic Surgery Scholarship Scholarship to attend annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons meeting, 2009
Arnold P. Gold Resident Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award Nominee
Finalist for award to honor residents for dedication to education, chosen by graduating medical students, 2008
Translating Osteopathic Understanding into Community Health (T.O.U.C.H) Award Recognizes students completing over 50 hours of community service within one academic year, 2006
Sigma Sigma Phi, inducted 2005
National Osteopathic Medicine Honors Fraternity, the osteopathic counterpart of AOA, 2005
Student Doctor of the Year Nominee
Nominated to represent UNT-TCOM in national competition, 2005
Golden Key National Honor Society, 2004
National Scholar’s Honor Society, 2003
Institute for Humane Studies
Summer Seminar Scholarship Recipient, 2000
Professional organizations
Women in Thoracic Surgery
Southern Thoracic Surgical Association
Thoracic Surgery Residency Association – Executive Committee
Residency Review Committee (ACGME) – Thoracic Surgery
Council of Review Committee Residents (ACGME)
American College of Surgeons- South Texas Chapter
Association of Women Surgeons-South Texas Chapter
Sigma Sigma Phi (Osteopathic Medical Honor Society)
American Medical Association
Texas Medical Association
Texas Osteopathic Medical Association