Member Spotlight: Laura Mercer, MD

What drew you to a career in medicine and, more specifically, obstetrics & gynecology?

"I started college as an engineering major because I loved math and science. I quickly figured out that I was bored doing too much computer work by myself and went on to change my major no fewer than 20 times before eventually settling on a plan to apply to medical school.

As the first physician in my family, and apparently a not very observant child or thorough researcher prior to applying to med school, I arrived at orientation without knowing that I'd be expected to pick a specialty at the end of medical school. I had no idea that residency was a thing that happened. Fortunately, the TV show Gray's Anatomy was just starting around that same time, so I eventually picked up on those sorts of structural basics about a career in medicine. I remained undecided until part of the way through my 4th year, but eventually figured out that I was way more interested in going home and reading about my OBGYN patients than I was going home to study liver failure or prostate symptoms (which felt like more of a chore)."

You currently practice at a community health center in Phoenix, where you serve some of the most vulnerable patients in our city. How has this experience changed or informed your approach to and philosophy on the practice of medicine?

"There's an MLK quote that says 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere' — and I think about this often. For all of the great advances in medicine, science, and technology, there are still so many people in our society that can't access even some of the most basic healthcare."

In addition to your work at the CHC, you often care for patients near the Arizona-Mexico border. What has surprised you most about delivering care in this area of our state?

"Practicing in rural parts of Arizona is a constant reminder of how there are low resource areas right in our own back yard. I often work with students or residents who express a desire to travel internationally for medical missions — and I can't help but think about the needs of our own rural communities in accessing healthcare, right here in Arizona."

The practice of medicine broadly has been in the limelight over the past several years as public perceptions continue to shift on healthcare, public health, and more. This is especially true for OBGYNs, who continue to navigate national and local policy changes on reproductive health. How have you personally navigated this shifting ground?

"With great effort. It's a lot to pay attention to health policy, legislation, and the courts, not to mention individual hospital policies. Our professional organizations, like ArMA and ACOG, have been instrumental in helping to simplify what is going on, and helping to figure out where advocacy is needed when harmful laws are threatened or enacted.

ArMA recently won a lawsuit to nullify many of the harmful anti-reproductive health laws that were still on the books in Arizona even though those laws were in direct conflict with Arizona's constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion. I'm so thankful to ArMA for its role in clarifying how we can take care of patients — removing barriers and confusion."

On top of your clinical work, advocacy efforts, and leadership roles, you also teach a personal and professional development course. What is one nugget of knowledge from the course you wish you could pass along to all your colleagues?

"We never really stop learning — and I think it's that thirst for knowledge that keeps us sharp and makes us good doctors. Having the humility to recognize that there's lots we don't know is so important."

What prompted you to become involved in organized medicine?

"When I was little, there was a saying 'two heads are better than one' — which was how my parents or teachers would suggest that I should ask for help and work with others on a team to figure things out. And I guess that really stuck with me, only now I realize how lots of really smart heads are even better. Organized medicine lets us be a unified force to work through complex issues and advocate for our patients and our profession."

Why is ArMA important to you?

"ArMA brings together the House of Medicine in Arizona — across all specialties. We really do speak more loudly when we speak together. And in today's climate, medicine and science needs all the advocacy it can get."