Meera Kelley, formerly vice president of quality and patient safety at WakeMed, has been named the chief medical officer of Nash Health Care.

Dr. Kelley received her medical training at the Northeast Ohio Medical University. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, and her fellowship in infectious diseases at UNC-Chapel Hill. Before her six-year tenure at WakeMed, she served on the faculty of UNC-Chapel Hill as an infectious diseases physician. She is a member of the North Carolina Medical Society, the American College of Physician Executives, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and she is a board member of the NC Center for Hospital Quality and Patient Safety.

Born in Michigan and raised in Ohio, Dr. Kelley says she was drawn to medical field because of the profound impact it can have on everyday lives.

“I liked the idea that I might be able to make a difference anywhere in the world, since there is so much need,” she said. “I love working as part of a team of committed, dedicated, passionate people striving to make things better. I like to laugh with my colleagues too, and enjoy each day.”

Dr. Kelley says it was the sense of community commitment that drew her to Nash Health Care.

“I was inspired by the idea of being part of a system that really focused on serving its community, and I loved the people I met; the leadership team, physicians, board members and managers,” she said. “Nash Health Care seems to have such a wonderful culture, and is in a prime position to become a real leader among health care systems in patient care and service. I want to be part of that.”

Outside of work, Dr. Kelley spends time with her 14-year-old daughter and their pets. Dr. Kelley enjoys reading, fitness classes, playing the piano, and trips to the mountains. In addition, she is working on her master’s degree in medical management.