9. The "Whole Person" Approach: Physiatrist Dr. Lisa Merritt on Mind, Body, Mentorship and Leadership

Join us in this in-depth episode as Rolf Taylor, producer of the podcast series, converses with Dr. Lisa Merritt at the National Medical Association Annual Assembly. Dr. Merritt, based in Sarasota, Florida, shares her journey as the first physiatrist on the podcast and delves into her impactful work as the Founder and Executive Director of the Multicultural Health Institute.

Dr. Merritt discusses her initiatives to address health inequities, the importance of community-based participatory research, and her passion for mentoring the next generation of medical professionals. With an herbalist uncle and a passion for combining traditional nutrition and modern medicine, Dr. Merritt discusses how the "whole person" approach benefits patients and communities. She also shares insights from her recent trip to Ghana, highlighting the importance of returning to one's roots to move forward again. 

Discover how Dr. Merritt's work in Sarasota, focusing on chronic diseases and environmental justice, is reshaping healthcare delivery and community health. Her inspiring story is a testament to the power of cultural competence and community engagement in fostering health equity.

(c) W. Montague Cobb Institute 2024

The Multicultural Health Institute:   https://www.the-mhi.org/news 

Bio: Dr. Lisa Merritt 

Dr. Lisa Merritt is a board-certified physiatrist, focusing on brain injury, pain management, including sports and work-related injuries in Sarasota, Florida. Over the past 25 years, she has been a passionate and unrelenting advocate for elimination of health disparities. In 1995, while managing her practice and serving as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of California Davis, Dr. Merritt founded the Multicultural Health Institute (MHI) in Sacramento, California to focus attention on health disparities and the economic impact of prevention strategies. A former seven-year President of the Capitol Medical Society and Vice President of the Golden State Medical Society, Merritt was an original member of the California Office on Minority Health statewide multicultural health task force and originator of the initial policy on improving cultural and linguistics standards in health delivery in the State of California. Moving to Sarasota, Florida in 2004, Dr. Merritt in her practice and through the MHI, has had a singular impact on health disparities through two highly successful community initiatives; her Sarasota Community Health Guide and her creation of the Gatekeepers, lay health advisors and educators involved in neighborhood activities to reduce disparities in HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease through preventive health measures that include providing information on health coverage, health awareness and health screenings.