35. Dr. Meredith Merkley: Community, Movement in Community & Medicine Outside of Four Walls

Dr. Meredith Merkley, DO, FAAP (she/her) is a partner, an athlete, an ultrarunner, ReNew Earth Running team member, an advocate, an activist, a creator, a connector, an organizer, a writer, a reader, a dog mama, and a board-certified general pediatrician. She has a B.S. In Biology, completed her medical degree at Ohio University and her pediatric residency at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. After finishing residency, she completed an academic fellowship at Nationwide Children’s Hospital before starting her full-time practice in outpatient general pediatrics. Meredith is an expert in infant, school-age, and adolescent healthcare and enjoys participating in community health education. She co-founded Adolescent Primary Care Clinic at Star House, a drop-in center for unstably-housed youth in Columbus, Ohio. She is co-founder and co-director of Run Wild Trail Camp, a non-profit youth camp that brings together members of the community to empower, educate and support youth through running and time outside in Denver, Colorado. Meredith has over 15 years of experience working with youth and youth organizations, and she is thrilled to be a part of the effort of RWTC to educate the community about the environment and the great sport of trail running. She has been running since the fourth grade and has gradually developed a love for running, an appreciation for the communities it has led her to and the beautiful places it has allowed her to explore. Meredith plans to complete the Rim to Rim to Rim, a 100k, and the Run Rabbit Run 100 mile race later this year.
#foamerupper

Content warning: we briefly talk about an eating disorder

Meredith talks about the importance of community for her and how running is healing. She shares how she became interested in Biology and the human body and how she wants to help educate young people about their long-term health and well-being. Meredith shares about the privilege of being a part of her patients' journeys and the growth she is able to see.  She talks about running as healing and the perspective that comes with it.
"How do I take care of myself enough to be able to take care of others?" - Dr. Meredith

Meredith lives on Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Ndee/Nnēē, Hohokam land.

Book recommendation:
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Running While Black by Alison Mariella Désir

Check out Meredith on IG @meremerkley & @runwildtrailcamp and find her running for #landback @renew_earth_running. You can also find her at mmerkley@runwildtrailcamp.org & (https://www.runwildkidscamp.com/)

When in Flagstaff, check out White Dove Coffee
Check out Bprunco www.berkeleyparkrunningcompany.com