Dr. Deborah Merrill

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Get to know Anesthesiologist Dr. Deborah Merrill, who serves patients in Seattle, Washington.

Dr. Merrill is a board certified anesthesiologist with a particular interest in regional anesthesia and orthopedic surgery. She also practices anesthesia for general surgery, ENT, urology, OB/GYN, plastics, and other specialties.

With a love for her profession and the people she works with, Dr. Merrill is a part of U.S. Anesthesia Partners in Seattle, Washington. She is also the Chief of Anesthesia at Swedish Medical Center Ballard Campus, and can be found on staff at The Seattle Facial Plastic Surgery Center.

“One of the great things about orthopedic care is that you really change people’s lives dramatically. We see patients who are totally incapacitated with joint pain — not able to work, not able to function in daily life. Afterward, they’re back to work or a participating family member again. These patients are so grateful and appreciative; they’ve often waited years for the surgery, and they’re really motivated to move forward.”

Her areas of clinical interest include ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, peripheral nerve blocks and catheters for post-operative pain control, and research in regional anesthesia.

With a series of notable achievements and experiences in her educational and training journey, Dr. Merrill completed her undergraduate studies at Stanford University in 1997. She then pursued her Medical Degree at the prestigious Stanford University School of Medicine in 2004. 

Following medical school, Dr. Merrill embarked on an internship at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center from 2004 to 2005, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Subsequently, she further honed her skills during her residency at Virginia Mason Medical Center from 2005 to 2008. 

Board certified in anesthesiology, the doctor is a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). As the certifying body for anesthesiologists since 1938, the ABA is committed to partnering with physicians to advance lifelong learning and exceptional patient care. Its mission is to advance the highest standards of the practice of anesthesiology.  

Among her professional affiliations, Dr. Merrill is an active member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia.

Anesthesiology is the medical specialty concerned with the total perioperative care of patients before, during, and after surgery. It encompasses anesthesia, intensive care medicine, critical emergency medicine, and pain medicine. Anesthesiologists have the primary responsibility of monitoring the patient’s vital signs during surgery. 

Outside of work, Dr. Merrill loves spending time with her two daughters. She also enjoys traveling, snow skiing, and running.

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