Physician · Community Advocate · Leader

Equipping people to live healthy, sustainable lives.

Dr. Valandrea Merilan is a physician and public health advocate committed to advancing excellence in hospital medicine, strengthening community engagement, and promoting health equity. She is also deeply interested in the use of artificial intelligence to enhance quality of care and address complex challenges across the healthcare system.

4
Focus Areas
3+
Peer-Reviewed Publications
1
Mission
Areas of Focus

What Drives Her Work

🏥

Hospital Medicine

Delivering high-quality, compassionate inpatient care while advancing best practices in hospital medicine to improve outcomes for every patient, every time.

🤖

Artificial Intelligence

Exploring how AI can be responsibly integrated into clinical workflows to enhance quality of care, reduce disparities, and solve complex challenges across the healthcare system.

🤝

Community Engagement

Building meaningful partnerships with communities to bridge gaps in healthcare access, foster health literacy, and ensure that every voice is heard and valued.

⚖️

Health Equity

Advocating for systemic change that removes barriers to care and ensures that race, income, and zip code do not determine the quality of health outcomes a person receives.

Dr. Valandrea Merilan
Physician · Community Advocate · Leader
About Dr. Merilan

Physician. Educator. Advocate.

Dr. Valandrea Merilan is a physician and public health advocate committed to advancing excellence in hospital medicine, strengthening community engagement, and promoting health equity. She currently serves as an Internal Medicine Resident at Mayo Clinic Florida in Jacksonville, where she is training through June 2027.

Dr. Merilan earned her MD from Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, where she received the Medicine and Society Strand Honors for her work in health equity, ethics, and community service. At Mayo Clinic, she was recognized with the Above and Beyond Teamwork Award for her clinical excellence and compassionate care at the bedside.

A gifted educator and community voice, Dr. Merilan has delivered presentations at national conferences, led STEM education programs for underserved youth, spoken at Polk State College, presented at the Annie Ruth Foundation Healthcare Symposium, and served as Host and Emcee for Mayo Clinic's Internal Medicine Residency Pre-interview Dinners. She is also deeply interested in the responsible use of artificial intelligence to enhance quality of care across the healthcare system.

"My mission is to equip people to live healthy, sustainable lives."

Background

Education & Training

2024 – 2027
Resident, Internal Medicine
Mayo Clinic Florida · Jacksonville, FL
2020 – 2024
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine · Miami, FL
Medicine and Society Strand Honors · Admissions Committee Student Representative
2019 – 2020
Master of Science
University of South Florida College of Medicine · Tampa, FL
2018 – 2019
Research Assistant
Center for Palliative Care Research · University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
Sickle cell, palliative care, and spiritual intervention studies
2014 – 2018
Bachelor of Science, Applied Physiology & Kinesiology
University of Florida · Gainesville, FL
Exercise Physiology · Health Disparities Minor
🏆 Honors & Certifications
  • AI for Work and Life Certificate, University of North Florida 2025
  • Mayo Clinic Above and Beyond Teamwork Award 2025
  • Mayo Clinic Quality Fellow: Bronze Level 2024
  • FIU Medicine and Society Strand Honors 2024
  • ACLS & BLS Certified · American Heart Association
🤝 Service & Leadership
  • Mayo Clinic Health Equity Subcommittee 2026–present
  • FLA Learner Wellbeing Council 2025–present
  • Internal Medicine Community Outreach Committee 2024–present
  • Hospital Practice Subcommittee 2024–present
  • Orlando Minority Youth Golf Association 2015–present
Scholarship

Publications & Research

Peer-reviewed research spanning sickle cell disease, palliative care, and the healthcare experiences of African Americans. Each publication represents a commitment to evidence that centers the communities most in need.

2021
Cancer Nursing
Reflections of Healthcare Experiences of African Americans With Sickle Cell Disease or Cancer: A Qualitative Study
Dyal, B.W. · Abudawood, K. · Schoppee, T.M. · Stacy Jean · Valandrea M. Smith · Amelia Greenlee · Lindsey M. Staton
A qualitative exploration of how African Americans with sickle cell disease or cancer reflect on their healthcare experiences, illuminating systemic patterns and personal narratives that shape health outcomes in underserved communities.
View at Stanford Palliative Care
2021
American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine
Palliative Care Research: Attrition Rates in Longitudinal Studies
Valandrea Merilan et al.
This analysis quantifies attrition rates mid-way through palliative care research studies, addressing a routine threat to research integrity and offering practical strategies for improving participant retention.
View on SAGE Journals
2019
Europe PMC · PubMed ID: 31743153
Sickle Cell Research
Valandrea Merilan et al.
Peer-reviewed research contributing to the growing body of literature on sickle cell disease, published via Europe PMC and indexed in PubMed.
View on Europe PMC
Health Education

Your Guide to a Healthier Life

Practical, evidence-based knowledge to help you and your community make informed health decisions — covering mind, body, and the world around you.

The Health Triangle

What Does It Mean to Be Healthy?

Health is a state of wellbeing and the capability to function in the face of changing circumstances — encompassing your physical, mental, and social wellbeing in equal measure.

🏃

Physical Health

Exercise, nutrition, sleep, and preventive care that keep your body functioning at its best.

🧠

Mental Health

Emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing — your ability to make healthy choices, relate to others, and handle stress.

Research shows that social and economic factors account for 40% of health outcomes, while health behaviors account for 30%, clinical care 20%, and the physical environment 10%. Health is far more than medicine — it is shaped by where we live, learn, work, and play.

✅

Key Health Factors

  • Health behaviors (diet, exercise, substance use)
  • Access to quality clinical care
  • Social & economic conditions
  • Physical environment & neighborhood
  • Genetics & family history
🎯

Health Outcomes

  • Length of life (50%)
  • Quality of life (50%)
  • Ability to function daily
  • Prevention of chronic disease
  • Mental and emotional resilience
Mental Health

Mental Health Matters

Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act — and is just as important as physical health.

1 in 5
US adults have a mental illness
1 in 5
Youth are affected
+25%
Rise in anxiety & depression during COVID

Mental and physical health are deeply connected. Depression increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Conversely, chronic illness significantly impacts mental health. Treating one without the other is incomplete care.

⚠️

Risk Factors

  • Adverse childhood experiences
  • Use of alcohol and drugs
  • Loneliness or social isolation
  • Biological factors or chemical changes
  • Trauma and chronic stress
💚

Protecting Your Mental Health

  • Build and maintain social connections
  • Practice healthy daily routines
  • Seek professional support when needed
  • Manage stress through movement and rest
  • Limit alcohol and avoid substances
Physical Health

Move Your Body, Change Your Life

Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful tools for improving and maintaining your health — and you don't need a gym to get started.

The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity (or 75 minutes vigorous) per week, plus 2 days of strength training. To lose or maintain weight, aim for 300+ minutes of moderate activity weekly.

🏊

Types of Exercise

  • Aerobic: brisk walks, biking, swimming, mowing
  • Strength: body weight, free weights, machines
  • Flexibility: stretching, yoga
  • Balance: standing exercises, tai chi
🌟

Benefits of Exercise

  • Improves thinking and memory
  • Relieves anxiety and improves mood
  • Improves sleep quality
  • Decreases risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer
  • Strengthens bones and muscles
💡

Daily Movement Hacks

  • Park further from the store entrance
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator
  • Take a 5–15 minute activity break
  • Cut down on time spent sitting
  • Walk during phone calls
Nutrition

Fuel Your Body Right

What you eat directly shapes your energy, disease risk, and overall wellbeing. A balanced diet doesn't have to be complicated — it starts with the basics.

🥦

What Your Body Needs

  • Carbohydrates for energy
  • Proteins for repair and growth
  • Healthy fats for brain and heart health
  • Fiber for digestion
  • Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
🍽️

Build a Balanced Plate

  • ½ plate: fruits and vegetables
  • ¼ plate: whole grains (not refined)
  • ¼ plate: lean protein
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy on the side
  • Healthy oils like olive or canola
💧

Stay Hydrated

  • Drink when thirsty or aim for 8 glasses/day
  • Men: ~3.7 L/day from food and fluids
  • Women: ~2.7 L/day from food and fluids
  • Needs increase with exercise, heat, illness
  • Water-rich foods (fruits, veggies) count too

Try MyPlate.gov — the USDA's simple, visual guide to building healthy meals. It replaces the old food pyramid with an easy-to-understand plate divided into fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein, with a side of dairy.

Preventive Care

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

Catching problems early — or stopping them before they start — saves lives. Here's what routine preventive care looks like.

👩‍⚕️

Physical Exams

  • Yearly physical with your primary care physician
  • Dental cleaning every 6 months
  • Yearly eye exam
🔬

Screening Tests

  • Mammogram (age 40+, yearly)
  • PSA blood test for prostate (age 55+)
  • Colonoscopy (age 45+, every 10 years)
  • Pap smear every 3–5 years (ages 21–65)
  • Low-dose CT for smokers (age 50+)
💉

Vaccinations

  • Yearly flu vaccine
  • COVID vaccine (updated annually)
  • Other vaccines based on age and health conditions
  • Ask your doctor what's right for you
📚

Health Education

  • Understand your conditions and medications
  • Ask for written materials at appointments
  • Use reliable online sources (CDC, Mayo Clinic)
  • Make informed decisions with your provider
Chronic Conditions

Understanding Common Chronic Diseases

Many chronic conditions are preventable, manageable, and even reversible with the right knowledge and action. Here's a quick reference guide.

Condition What Is It? Prevention Screening Treatment
High Blood Pressure BP >130/80 on multiple readings Diet, exercise, quit smoking Blood pressure cuff (rest 15 min first) DASH diet, exercise, salt restriction, medications
Type 2 Diabetes Hemoglobin A1C ≥ 6.5 Diet, exercise, quit smoking Blood test (Hemoglobin A1C) Diet, exercise, quit smoking, medications
High Cholesterol LDL goal <100 (or <70 with heart disease) Diet, exercise, quit smoking Lipid panel blood test Diet, exercise, medications (statins)
Cancer Breast, prostate, colon, cervical, lung Limit smoking, red meat; know family history Mammogram, PSA, colonoscopy, Pap smear, CT Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, immunotherapy
Kidney Disease Decreased kidney function (GFR/Creatinine) Control blood pressure and diabetes Basic metabolic panel (BMP) Medications, hemodialysis, kidney transplant
Cognitive Decline Memory loss impacting daily living Mental activities, social engagement Cognitive screening and testing Limited options; some medications slow progression

Knowledge is prevention. Most chronic conditions share the same root prevention strategies: maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid tobacco, limit alcohol, and get regular check-ups. Small, consistent changes make the biggest difference over time.

Social Health

The Social Determinants of Health

Where you are born, live, learn, work, and age has a profound impact on your health — often more than genetics or clinical care alone.

🏥

Health Care System

  • Insurance and healthcare coverage
  • Access to care and transportation
  • Provider availability and cultural competency
  • Quality of care received
🏘️

Neighborhood & Environment

  • Housing stability and safety
  • Transportation access
  • Parks, playgrounds, and green spaces
  • Air and water quality
🎓

Education

  • Literacy and language access
  • Early childhood education
  • Vocational and higher education
  • Health literacy and informed decisions
🥗

Food Access

  • Hunger and food insecurity
  • Access to healthy, affordable food
  • Fast food more prominent in lower-income areas
  • Increasing costs of nutritious food
💼

Economic Stability

  • Employment and income
  • Expenses and debt burden
  • Savings and financial security
  • Impact of discrimination on opportunity
👥

Community & Social Context

  • Social integration and belonging
  • Community engagement and support
  • Discrimination and systemic barriers
  • Support systems and relationships
Doctor Visits

Get the Most From Your Appointments

Being prepared and engaged with your healthcare provider is one of the most impactful things you can do for your health. Here's how.

1

Get Organized Before Your Visit

Bring a notebook with notes on any health problems. Bring all medications, vitamins, supplements, and OTCs in their original containers. If you're a new patient, bring family health history for at least two generations and prior medical records.

2

Arrive Early & Speak Up

Arrive 15 minutes early to complete paperwork. If your provider uses a word you don't understand, ask them to explain it. Ask why you're being given a medication or test. Ask them to slow down if you feel rushed — it's your right.

3

Know Your Family Health History

Have conversations with family to document health conditions across at least two generations — grandparents, parents, siblings, and children. Many chronic diseases are inherited. Share and update this information with your provider at every visit.

4

Follow Up After Your Appointment

Use your patient portal to message your doctor with questions. Report any new symptoms or medication side effects promptly. Always follow up on test results — don't wait for your doctor to reach out. Keep your health record updated.

Where to go for care: Life-threatening emergency → Emergency Room. Non-emergency that can wait → your primary care physician. Can't wait and PCP is unavailable → Urgent Care. When in doubt, call your provider's office first.

Get In Touch

Contact Dr. Merilan

Available for speaking engagements, research collaboration, media inquiries, and community health partnerships. Reach out to start a conversation.

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/valandreamerilan
Email [email protected]
Available For Keynote Speaking · Research Collaboration
Community Health Initiatives
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