Welcome Dr. Merrell to his New Role!

We are pleased to have Dr. Raymond Merrell join our Surgical Services Leadership Team as the new Chief of the Division of Surgery. Dr. Merrell along with dyad partner Tammy Smeback, Senior Director of Surgical Services, is focused on fostering the development of a system-wide, patient and community centered healthcare delivery system. In addition, Dr. Merrell with the Surgical Services leadership team has the prime function to support the planning, organization and coordination of an integrated system of care that is consistent with the Quadruple Aim; improving the health of the population we serve, improving our patient’s experience of care and reducing the per capita cost of health care and keeping our patients at the center of care.

Dr. Merrell’s number one goal in this new role is improving communication among all stakeholders in Surgical Services at Memorial, as well as reaching a consensus on how we operate and how we move forward. His biggest fear is getting bogged down in endless meetings.

Dr. Merrell was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He has been happily married for 40 years, and helped raise three wonderful boys. He graduated from Medical School in 1974, completed his Urology _ Residency in 1980 and has since been practicing in Yakima. He is certified with the American Board of Urology and the National Board of Medical Examiners. His favorite part of his job is having the satisfaction of successfully treating patient’s
urological problems and improving their lives.

When asked about his biggest accomplishment, after a lot of thought, Dr. Merrell said developing the Ambulatory Surgery Center at Yakima Urology. On a personal level, it was his youth soccer team winning the State Championship. He is actively involved in the community serving on the Yakima Rotary Club, Yakima United Way, West Valley Dollars for Scholars, and the First Presbyterian Church.

We are very excited to partner with Dr. Merrell in his new role, and look forward to the changes we as a team can create for the future.