“Doctor, Friend, Advocate”

Dr. Merwin grew up on a family farm in North Dakota and received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from Jamestown (ND) College.  He then entered graduate school at UC San Diego pursuing a degree in chemistry.  After receiving his master’s degree, he decided to change course and attend medical school. 

After graduating from University of North Dakota School of Medicine on a military scholarship, Dr. Merwin completed surgical internship at Naval Hospital Oakland. Then came three years serving with US Marines as a general medical officer at Camp Pendleton, followed by the completion of his Family Medicine residency at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. 

Dr. Merwin then went on a three-year tour at Naval Hospital Yokosuka Japan providing primary care to sailors and their families. He then returned for another three-year tour with US Marines at Camp Pendleton including a deployment to Iraq in summer of 2003. 

With a young family establishing roots in Orange County, he decided it was time to leave the transient life in the US Navy and has been working in primary care clinics since. 

Dr. Merwin enjoys time with family which now includes grandchildren, as well as visits to the family farm in North Dakota.