AUGUSTA HEALTH APPOINTS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT DR. CLINT MERRITT AS CHIEF PHYSICIAN EXECUTIVE AND CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

FISHERSVILLE, Virginia — Augusta Health announced Senior Vice President Clint Merritt, MD, has been named Chief Physician Executive/Chief Medical Officer effective January 1, 2024.

“Dr. Merritt’s new leadership role reflects Augusta Health’s growth and the need for enhanced managerial agility and leadership for transitioning into our next chapter of delivering care to the community,” said Mary N. Mannix, President & CEO of Augusta Health. “This key physician leadership position brings together strength in clinical quality, patient safety, community health, clinical service lines, and physician network leadership, supporting our vision to be a national model for community-based healthcare. I am enthusiastic about our future, and with this solid leadership team, we will continue strengthening the health and well-being of all people in our communities.”

Dr. Merritt joined Augusta Health in 2004 as a hospitalist and has spent much of his career providing care for patients in the hospital. He has also served in multiple medical staff and physician practice leadership roles.  Most recently, Merritt held the leadership role of vice president of Population Health and executive director of Augusta Care Partners. In the past few years, Merritt has played a significant role in the health systems’ collective response to COVID-19 and in advancing our connections to underserved community members. He connected with neighborhoods, community organizations, churches, and community leaders to establish mobile primary care clinics in 13 neighborhoods in our region, tailoring our services to address chronic diseases and important social drivers that impact health.  Dr. Merritt shared, “We have learned the importance of leading with questions, not solutions. By connecting and listening well to our communities, we are in the best position to advance health in our region. We have emerged from the pandemic by leaning into growth, access to care, education, health equity, and our community-based mission,” said Merritt. “I see daily how deeply the Augusta Health clinical teams and providers care for our patients and community. I feel extremely fortunate to be in this leadership role for the organization.”

Merritt, an Eastern Virginia Medical School graduate, is regularly recognized for his leadership in health equity and for working with community partners, including the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Embrace Waynesboro Community Center, the Valley Mission, the Shenandoah Valley LGBTQ Center, and the Central Shenandoah Health District.

Executive biographies and photos are available at https://www.augustahealth.com/about-us/leadership/.