Merick Yamada is in her second year of Pediatric Residency at the University of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City.  Merick grew up in Dallas, Texas and graduated from JJ Pearce High School.  She attended Texas Tech University and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish.

Growing up, Merick always wanted to be a doctor, so she chose to attend Texas Tech University to participate in the Honors College Early Acceptance to Medical School program, allowing Merick to be accepted to medical school a year early to have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Sevilla, Spain, participate in the Goin’ Band from Raiderland, and enjoy a membership in her sorority, Chi Omega.  During college, she spent time volunteering at hospitals and shadowing doctors.  She also had the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua on a medical mission trip to help with medical care in small, rural villages.  All of these experiences further reinforced her love for medicine and caring for others.

During medical school, Merick was open to multiple fields in medicine, but ultimately knew Pediatrics was the perfect specialty for her.  She loved working with the wide age range and developmental stages seen in Pediatrics and also enjoyed working with parents and families.  She participated in the Texas Pediatric Society Preceptorship during medical school and worked with a local Pediatrician to learn basic skills in the field.  She was also President of the Pediatric Club during her final year of medical school.

Merick is very thankful for the support she has received from her family.  Her parents reside in Dallas, Texas and are always happy to come visit Oklahoma City, and her sister works in San Francisco, California making that a great vacation destination!  In her free time, Merick enjoys watching and attending Thunder games, traveling, being active outside or in exercise classes, and spending time with friends and family.