The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Dexter's Meurer answers his calling
U-M doctor enjoying career in emergency medicine, neurology
By Sheila Pursglove, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: July 24, 2008
Dr. Will Meurer of Dexter, a clinical lecturer in the departments of Emergency Medicine and Neurology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, was drawn to a career in medicine through direct exposure, after seriously injuring his hip at 16 while driving to school.
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"This provided a great deal of insight into the idea of medicine as a career and I went after that goal in college," he says. "I was drawn to emergency medicine because it conferred the ability to care for a wide range of things and provide constant variety.
"It also requires a physician to be able to quickly connect with people, which is something I enjoy doing."
An Ohio native, Meurer grew up in Cincinnati, graduated from Ohio State University and earned his medical degree in 2003 from the University of Cincinnati.
He and his wife Liz moved to Dexter two years ago, a month after Meurer completed residency training in Emergency Medicine in Cleveland at the MetroHealth Medical Center where he was chief resident in his final year.
"I still root for the Buckeyes," he says. "My father-in-law threatened to stop talking to me when we moved. He worked for Ohio State for over 20 years.
"I moved here for the great opportunity to work for the University of Michigan, which is one of the finest universities in the country and excellent in Emergency Medicine research - number one in funding from the NIH for Emergency Medicine research."
Meurer has just finished a fellowship in Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disorders, in the Departments of Neurology and Emergency Medicine, and is working on a master's degree in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis at the U-M School of Public Health.
"It's sort of the medical research ROTC - meets one weekend a month for 19 months," he says.
Meurer works on the U-M acute stroke team with several other emergency physicians and neurologists, facilitating the care of patients with serious strokes who need urgent therapies.
His current clinical interests are in the acute care of stroke patients and other patients with central nervous system emergencies, and follow-up care and treatment for stroke patients.
His research interests are directed toward improvement of acute care for stroke patients in the emergency department, and involves studying systems of care and barriers to delivering high quality effective treatment. He also participates in trials investigating new medications for use in acute ischemic stroke.
A medical career is very rewarding but at times stressful, he says.
"It also comes in handy in odd places at times. When I was flying back from Italy last September, I needed to provide medical assistance when we were somewhere over the North Atlantic. Fortunately, it was a young health guy with a nosebleed that I managed to stop with one of the medications from the kit, which I put in a spray bottle and squirted up his nose.
"Even though I took German in high school and college, I never learned the word for epinephrine so it took a little searching to get the right thing."
The family's move to the Wolverine state in 2006 came a month after the birth of their son Liam.
"We chose to live in Dexter, within the village, to be in an area that was close to work but had a real sense of community," Meurer says. "We have loved walking to parades, Dexter Daze, the Cider Mill, the restaurants, the pub, and of course, Dairy Queen. We also achieved a lifelong dream of having a front porch."
The couple loves to travel, and recently attended the wedding of a cousin in Cyprus. They also have discovered the joys of gardening. "The prolific rain this year has been very good to the weeds in our garden," Meurer says.
An avid marathon runner until an arthritic hip joint put paid to that passion, Meurer spends some of his free time bicycling.
"I also enjoy brewing my own beer. Liz bought me the stuff for a birthday quite a few years back - and she still regrets it each time I make the house smell like a brewery."
The couple enjoys spending time with Liam and taking him to the TreeHouse in Chelsea, visiting Hudson Mills Metro Park, and entertaining.
"We love the arts as well," Meurer says. "We can't wait until our child is old enough to actually walk through an art museum without going crazy. For now we will keep taking him to the Hands On Museum in Ann Arbor."
Liz Meurer is a dietitian who works part-time at the U-M Residence and Dining Halls, doing nutrition programming.
"But she also works two other full time jobs - taking care of me and taking care of our kid," her husband says. "Liam has grown to love hearing the trains go by and runs to the window to see them."
Liz has been active in the Dexter Community Players. "She's been very busy with the upcoming production of 'Honk' and has had a great time being involved in community theater. 'Honk' should be a great show and fun for kids," Meurer says
"She has even gotten me a gig as their emergency medical adviser — and I have not lost a thespian yet."
Sheila Pursglove is a freelance writer. She can be reached at bingley51@yahoo.com.
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