News Archive Featured in the Media JeffNEWS

Thomas J. Lewis, president and chief executive officer of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has named Geno Merli, MD, FACP, as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.  Dr. Merli replaces Jonathan Gottlieb, MD, who left the post to be the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs at the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.  Dr. Merli will begin his new responsibilities on February 1.

“Dr. Merli is uniquely suited to fill this position. His proven leadership ability and boundless energy, together with his superior reputation as a clinician will benefit all patient care at Jefferson. I also believe that his integrity coupled with his innate inquisitiveness will serve us well, as we continue to pioneer new treatment methods that are supported by the advanced technology and clinical research in every area of our academic medical center,” said Mr. Lewis.

The Chief Medical Officer at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is the individual charged with working with physician staff members to ensure the continued practice of the excellent clinical care that the region associates with Jefferson. He also represents physicians’ viewpoints in Hospital decision-making and on various committees.  With the president and CEO, he advises the University on physician recruitment needs for Hospital programs and services and directs the Hospital’s quality improvement and patient safety teams.

“This is an exciting opportunity and a great privilege,” commented Dr. Merli.  “I have been a part of Jefferson for over 35 years as a student, a teacher and a member of Jefferson University Physicians. It is an honor to now play a key role in developing new patient care strategies that will continue Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s tradition of providing excellent clinical care.”

Currently, Dr. Merli is Ludwig A. Kind Professor of Medicine at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, and has served as the director, Division of Internal Medicine since 1987 and vice chair of Clinical Affairs since 2002.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1971 from the University of Scranton and received a doctor of medicine degree in 1975 from Jefferson Medical College.

He completed a residency in rehabilitation medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 1977, was chief resident in the department of rehabilitation medicine in 1978 and completed a residency in internal medicine in 1980.

Dr. Merli was named clinical assistant professor in the departments of medicine and rehabilitation medicine in 1981. In 1994, he became clinical professor in the department of medicine of Jefferson Medical College and department of Nursing in the College of Health Professions of Thomas Jefferson University. In 1997, Dr. Merli was also named vice chairman of Primary Care in the department of medicine. He was named Ludwig A. Kind professor, an endowed chair in the department of medicine, in 1998.

Dr. Merli is a retired Lt. Col. in the US Army Reserve.  He served as Commander of the 348^th General Hospital (HUM) in Ashley, PA.  Dr. Merli was awarded the Army Achievement and Commendation Medals.

The recipient of numerous teaching awards during his career, Dr. Merli received the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1987 and the Dean’s Citation for significant contribution to the advancement of education in 2004.  He is co-editor with Howard Weitz, MD, of the third edition of Medical Management of the Surgical Patient.  He has published 120 articles and edited 10 books and monographs.  Dr. Merli has been active in clinical research on the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.  He has served as principle or co-investigator in 38 trials.

He currently serves on the editorial board of Patient Care, Emergency Medicine and the Journal Society of Hospital Medicine. He is a reviewer for Journal of General Internal Medicine, Archives of Internal Medicine, and Annals of Internal Medicine, Chest and Journal of American Medical Association. Dr. Merli is also a co-chair, Thrombosis Resource for the Advancement of Clinical Knowledge, which includes a website and new medical journal Thrombosis Clinic.  On a national level, Dr. Merli is a member of the DVT Coalition which consists of 37 national organizations.  He has worked with Senators Specter and Dorgan and State Senators Mellow and Kryrillos to have the month of March designated as “DVT Awareness Month” by the US Senate and state legislatures in PA and NJ.

Dr. Merli is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of numerous professional societies including: the American Medical Association, American Venous Forum, International Society of Thrombosis and Homeostasis, Society of General Internal Medicine and Society of Hospital Medicine.