Dorothy Merritt, MD is an Internal Medicine Physician practicing at her clinic in Dickinson, TX, dedicated to providing comprehensive Internal Medicine care to adults. She is registered with The Texas Medical Board and practices under the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Physicians - Medical Practice Act). Internal Medicine Physicians (Internists) are adult primary care doctors (MD or DO) providing comprehensive preventive care, managing common and complex chronic conditions, diagnosing diverse illnesses, and coordinating specialist care for adults, serving as a central point of contact for ongoing health needs across the whole family. Dr. Merritt serves patients 18 years and older and is currently welcoming new patients. Please call (281) 337-3337 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Dorothy Merritt, MD is an internist in Dickinson, TX. She is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments. Dr. Merritt completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions, including an internship at Baylor College Of Medicine, followed by residency training in Internal Medicine at Baylor College Of Medicine. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Merritt is passionate about getting to the root causes of disease. She integrates preventative, nutritional, genomic and environmental medicine into her day-to-day practice, and she also performs IV EDTA Chelation therapy. She offers consultations in Chinese.
A strong patient-provider partnership is the foundation of effective healthcare. Dr. Merritt is committed to being a partner in your health journey, focusing on practical strategies to protect your health and well-being.
Dr. Merritt provides comprehensive internal medicine care, focusing on preventive health and the management of chronic conditions. She prioritizes clear communication and a strong patient-physician partnership, actively involving patients in their care plans. Her approach emphasizes thorough diagnostic evaluations and coordination of specialist care, ensuring a cohesive and patient-centered experience.
By working together, you and Dr. Merritt can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
- Excellus BlueCross BlueShield PPO
- Managed Choice POS
- Premera Blue Cross
- Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
As your primary healthcare provider, Dr. Merritt offers expert diagnosis and management for a wide range of common health conditions. Common areas of focus include:
- Diarrhea: Diarrhea can be a symptom of a more serious condition, and an internist can provide a thorough evaluation to rule out any underlying concerns.
- Herpes Zoster Without Complication: Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus. An internist can identify this condition through a physical exam and recommend appropriate treatment to reduce discomfort and prevent complications.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels characterize diabetes, a condition an internist can diagnose and treat by prescribing medication, recommending dietary adjustments, and monitoring your blood sugar.
- Perimenopause: Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause, when a woman's periods become irregular and hormone levels fluctuate, and an internist can help manage symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes.
- Dysentery: An internist helps manage dysentery, a diarrheal illness with blood and mucus, by identifying the cause and recommending treatment to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Experiencing severe fatigue for months despite adequate rest? An internist can help determine if you have chronic fatigue syndrome and guide you toward appropriate care.
- Heart Disease: Your internist plays a vital role in preventing and managing heart disease, helping you make lifestyle changes and providing medication to keep your heart strong.
- Headache: An internist can differentiate between different types of headaches and offer appropriate treatments, such as medication or referrals to specialists if needed.
- Muscle Cramping: Muscle cramping is sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that cause pain and discomfort, and an internist can help determine the underlying cause and recommend treatment.
- Common Cold: If you have a common cold, an internist can assess your symptoms, rule out more serious conditions, and recommend appropriate over-the-counter remedies or other supportive care.
- Gout: An internist plays a key role in managing your gout, a form of arthritis, by providing effective treatments to alleviate pain and prevent long-term complications.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Internists play a key role in managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition marked by abdominal discomfort and irregular bowel movements, by helping patients find the right diet, medication, and stress management techniques.
This list represents some of the common conditions treated. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional.
To provide comprehensive and patient-centered care, Dr. Merritt offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and treat various health concerns:
- Advance Directive End of Life Planning: An advance directive is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical care in the future, should you become incapacitated.
- Chronic Care Management: If you have a chronic illness, chronic care management provides ongoing support and care to help you better manage your condition and avoid health crises.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG is a painless test that records the electrical signals from your heart, providing valuable information to diagnose heart conditions and guide treatment.
- IV Therapy: If you need medication or fluids quickly, your doctor might recommend IV therapy, which involves a needle inserted into a vein to deliver the treatment directly.
- Physical Examination: During a physical exam, your doctor will ask you questions about your health, check your vital signs, and perform a series of tests to detect potential issues.
- Smoking Cessation Counseling: Get expert advice and support to quit smoking with personalized counseling from your internal medicine physician.
- Wellness Examination: This check-up helps prevent future health issues through early detection and personalized advice.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for their professional license in Texas.
Dr. Merritt is dedicated to partnering with patients to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how proactive care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and personalized treatment plan from the internist, a patient successfully managed their chronic diarrhea, regaining their daily comfort and quality of life.
- After receiving a clear diagnosis and treatment plan from an internist, a patient successfully managed their shingles, experiencing significant relief from pain and discomfort. Their internist's guidance helped them navigate the condition effectively, allowing them to resume their daily activities.
- By following a personalized treatment plan, including medication and dietary adjustments, a patient successfully managed their diabetes, achieving stable blood sugar levels and feeling more energetic.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
350 FM 517 Rd W, Dickinson, TX, 77539
Phone: (281) 337-3337
View on Map - Practice
6807 Emmett F Lowry Expy Ste 103, Texas City, TX, 77591
Phone: (409) 938-1770
View on Map - Practice
6608 Interstate 45 Ste 100, La Marque, TX, 77568
Phone: (409) 655-2770
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- Baylor College of Medicine (Residency Hospital)
- Baylor College of Medicine (Internship Hospital)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
Here are answers to some common questions about receiving Internal Medicine care with Dr. Merritt:
- What is the difference between an Internal Medicine doctor and a Family Medicine doctor?
- Internal Medicine physicians, or Internists, specialize in adult health care (typically age 18 and older). They have extensive training in diagnosing and managing complex adult illnesses and chronic conditions. Family Medicine physicians, in contrast, provide care for patients of all ages, including children.
- I have multiple chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. Is an Internist a good choice for me?
- Yes, an internist is an excellent choice. Managing multiple chronic conditions is a core strength of internal medicine. Dr. Merritt is an expert in understanding how different adult diseases interact and can coordinate all aspects of care, including medications and specialist visits, to create a cohesive health plan.
- I have a set of confusing symptoms that other doctors haven't been able to diagnose. Can an Internist help?
- Yes, an internist like Dr. Merritt can be exceptionally helpful. Internists are highly trained in diagnosing complex medical conditions, often considered "medical detectives" due to their expertise in evaluating confusing symptoms. Dr. Merritt is skilled at precisely evaluating vague or unusual symptoms to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.
- Should I see an Internist for a common illness like a sinus infection?
- Yes, an internist like Dr. Merritt is well-suited to treat a sinus infection. Internists are primary care physicians who diagnose and manage a wide range of adult illnesses, including common acute conditions. They are equipped to provide comprehensive care for your needs.
- Can you help me manage my medications?
- Yes. Medication management is a critical part of internal medicine, especially for patients with multiple conditions. Dr. Merritt will review all of your prescriptions (even those from specialists) to check for interactions, ensure proper dosing, and simplify your regimen whenever possible.
- Do you only treat sick patients, or do you also focus on preventive care?
- Dr. Merritt's practice emphasizes preventive care, with a major focus on adult wellness and disease prevention. This includes annual physicals, managing risk factors like high cholesterol and blood pressure, and providing recommended screenings for adults.
- How do you coordinate care with my other doctors, like my cardiologist or surgeon?
- Dr. Merritt acts as the central coordinator for your care, ensuring all your doctors, including your cardiologist and surgeon, have the information they need. We will manage referrals, review specialist reports, and make sure all treatments and medications work together safely and effectively.
- What kind of adult immunizations do you provide?
- Dr. Merritt provides common adult vaccines, including annual flu shots, tetanus boosters (Tdap), shingles (Shingrix), and pneumonia (Prevnar/Pneumovax) vaccines. She will review your immunization history and recommend vaccinations based on your age, health status, and CDC guidelines.
350 FM 517 Rd W
Dickinson TX 77539
Phone: (281) 337-3337
Dorothy Merritt, MD is regulated by the Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle B (Physicians - Medical Practice Act) in Texas and is licensed by The Texas Medical Board.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1881698579
Registration can typically be verified through The Texas Medical Board website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by kellysearch.com, is for informational purposes to help you connect with local healthcare providers. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Healthcare providers like Dr. Dorothy Merritt are trained to manage a wide range of health concerns. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.