Alumni Spotlight: Summer Merritt, MD ‘04

When Summer (Alexander) Merritt, MD ’04, arrived at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston to interview for admission, she felt a sense of connection seeing students enjoying life together as they worked to become doctors.

“I could see myself in the people who were already there,” Summer says.

The future physicians in her class included people from all walks of life, from former architects and chemical engineers to students from single-parent families who had to work their way through college.

“We all wanted to make each other better,” she says.

Summer served as class president during her third year, organizing events and helping 200 medical students stay connected as they completed clinical rotations throughout the Texas Medical Center.

After completing her residency in family medicine, she started a concierge medical practice in Midland, Texas, providing comprehensive care including home visits, hospital admissions, and end-of-life care.

Summer has generously supported McGovern Medical School and serves on the school’s Alumni Association executive committee. Giving back has helped her forge new connections with medical students following the path she once walked.

“They remind me of my younger idealistic self,” she says. “Getting involved with McGovern Medical School again helps me remember why I chose medicine in the first place.”