About Me
I am a general thoracic surgeon with expertise in minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of lung and esophageal cancers. My clinical interests include primary lung carcinoma, esophageal carcinoma, thymic malignancies, primary tumors of the chest wall, tracheal tumors and secondary lung carcinoma. I also serve as professor and director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at The Ohio State University, as well as director of inpatient services at The James. I was named to the Castle Connolly list of “Regional Top Doctors” from 2017-2019 and rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction in 2015.
I perform robotic–assisted thoracic surgery procedures for the removal of lung tumors and tumors in the mediastinum. Robotic surgery provides a significant advantage over traditional thoracotomy incisions as it's minimally invasive and promotes rapid healing with fewer infections. Robotic Assisted lobectomy is becoming the operation of choice for early stage lung cancer.
My research interest involves tumor immunology. I have investigated the role of Ciplatin mediated upregulation of CD40 ligand in lung cancer cell lines. CD8 T cells contain the CD40 ligand receptor that promotes cancer cell apoptosis, or programmed death, after binding CD40 ligand. I also perform outcomes research to improve the results of surgical procedures for thoracic malignancies.
I have published many studies in such peer-reviewed journals as Nature Medicine, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Clinics, The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry.
Here at OSUCCC – James, we work together as a multidisciplinary team to improve patient care and outcomes while striving to find the cure for cancer. It's challenging and rewarding work, and we never stop trying.
Highlights
- Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2016
- Top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2015
- Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors and Top Black Doctors lists
Procedures and Conditions I Treat
- Thoracic Diseases
- Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
- Robotics
- Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
- Thoracotomy
- Bronchoscopy
- Esophageal Cancers
- Esophageal Diseases
- Mediastinal Diseases
- Pleural Effusion
- Emphysema
- Pneumothorax
- Lung Cancers
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
- Mesothelioma
- Tracheal Diseases
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pneumonectomy
- Barrett's Esophagus
- Carcinoid Tumor
- Esophageal Achalasia
- Gastroesophageal Reflux
- Hernia, Hiatal
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Thymoma
Locations Where I Practice
300 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
614-366-7744
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Education and Training
Education History
Medical School
Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY
8/28/1994 - 5/29/1998
Internship
New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
6/18/1998 - 6/18/1999
Residency
New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
7/1/1999 - 6/18/2004
Residency
New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
6/18/2004 - 6/17/2005
Fellowship
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
7/1/2005 - 12/31/2007
Fellowship
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
1/1/2008 - 6/1/2008
Academic Information
My Department
Surgery
My Division
Thoracic Surgery
Reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
212 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
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Overall
4.9 out of 5
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Kept you informed about your condition and treatment
4.8 out of 5
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Amount of time spent with you
4.8 out of 5
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Concern for your questions and issues
4.9 out of 5
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Skill and knowledge
4.9 out of 5
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Overall quality of care
4.9 out of 5
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 09/30/2022, Dr. Merritt has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- AstraZeneca
- Iovance Biotherapeutics
- Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
Everything and everybody was exceptional!!
Dr. Merritt and Staff were Stellar!
Care providers were awesome
I have great faith in Dr. Merritt, he did my surgery and follow up and he is great about explaining everything to me. He even showed me my results about my CT scan and showed me all about it. He is a very personable man.
DrMerritt is the best!
Dr. Merritt and his staff were very kind and informative about how my surgery will be done. I do not think I could have gotten better care than I did.
Dr. Merritt was very helpful in explaining the treatment options and listening to my concerns. I felt very confident in his ability to provide excellent care.
Dr. Merritt is very good about taking the time to answer questions
Great!
Dr. Merritt staff was great. Always answered my questions. Staff was skillful & knowledgeable.
Both Dr Merritt and intern were extremely good.
Very impressed with Dr. Merritt and his staff as well as Dr. Pannu and her staff.
Dr. Merritt and his team took their time with us in answering all questions regarding my diagnosis and treatment.
Excellent experience
Dr. Merritt and Dr. Cleland were very good about explaining what my future surgery intails.
Dr. Merritt provided excellent care!
We found Dr. Merritt's office to be attentive, kind & caring. Dr. Merritt is an excellent physician and we have come to appreciate his skills in my treatment. HE'S THE BEST!
Dr. Merritt - Absolutely the caring person.
My medical providers are/were truly outstanding. Their efforts gave me confidence in a very dark time.
Dr. Merriti & staff are the reasons I drive 2 hrs. one way.
My treatment or decisions were necessary.
Dr. Merritt is awesome. Complete trust in his decisions and directions.
Dr. Merritt is the best I've ever had, great man - love him.