Dr. Priest to Enhance and Expand Merit’s Successful Employee Wellness Initiatives to Global Workforce
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – July 11, 2019–Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:MMSI), a leading manufacturer and marketer of proprietary devices used primarily in cardiology, radiology, oncology, and endoscopy, announces the appointment of Nicole Priest, MD to the position of Chief Wellness Officer (CWO). In this newly created position, Dr. Priest will implement a coordinated global wellness program designed to help Merit employees around the world live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Dr. Priest brings to Merit a wealth of valuable experience in primary care medicine, including a board certification in Family, Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Priest received her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Utah and held previous positions at Moab Family Medicine in Moab, Utah, Rocky Mountain Hospice in Murray, Utah and Wasatch Internal Medicine in Millcreek, Utah. Since 2005, she has been an Adjunct Instructor in Family and Preventative Medicine at the University of Utah.
Since 2016, Dr. Priest has worked as the doctor at Merit Care, the onsite healthcare office at Merit Medical’s global headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT. Founded to provide comprehensive onsite family medicine to Merit Utah employees and their families, Merit Care – under the leadership of Dr. Priest – has expanded to provide the support of a full-time physician’s assistant as well as a dedicated nutritionist. During this time, Dr. Priest also successfully implemented or expanded multiple health and wellness programs directly benefiting Merit employees. These include a “90-Day Challenge” created to help employees adopt sustainable, healthy fitness and nutrition habits; the expansion of a community garden project that cultivates fresh produce for the Merit main campus cafeteria; and a dental care program offering biannual cleanings. In her role as CWO, Dr. Priest will leverage her experience and training to ensure Merit proactively engages employees regarding their health and habits, identifying, managing, and potentially reversing chronic health risks.
“I’m excited and grateful to be named Merit Medical’s first Chief Wellness Officer and look forward to improving the lives of Merit employees around the world,” commented Nicole Priest, MD, Chief Wellness Officer, Merit Medical. “Helping people make positive, impactful lifestyle changes is my passion, and it’s incredibly rewarding to assume a leadership role in an organization that shares that passion. As CWO, I will ensure that Merit continues and expands its commitment to investing in employee health, wellbeing, and satisfaction.”
“I’m honored to offer Dr. Priest the newly created role of Chief Wellness Officer,” added Fred Lampropoulos, Chief Executive Officer, Merit Medical. “In her three years at Merit, Dr. Priest has helped employees lose weight, quit smoking, and in general, live healthy and happy lives. The creation of this global position, as well as the appointment of a physician as capable and strategic as Dr. Priest, exemplifies Merit’s commitment to employee wellbeing and satisfaction both within and outside of the workplace.”
About Merit
Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care and endoscopy. Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force and clinical support team totaling exceeding 300 individuals. Merit employs approximately 6,300 people worldwide with facilities in South Jordan, Utah; Pearland, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Malvern, Pennsylvania; Rockland, Massachusetts; San Jose and Aliso Viejo, California; Maastricht and Venlo, The Netherlands; Paris, France; Galway, Ireland; Beijing, China; Tijuana, Mexico; Joinville, Brazil; Markham, Ontario, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; Tokyo, Japan; Reading, United Kingdom; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Singapore.
Media Contacts
Kara Stephens
Pascale Communications, LLC
[email protected]
(407) 765-1185
Michelle Stevens
Merit Medical, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
[email protected]
(801) 208-4112