About

Surgery room

The Future of Medical Education

Founded in 1994 by Memphis neurosurgeon Dr. Kevin T. Foley, the MERI was created to promote health and welfare by supporting quality medical education and hands-on training, and to promote and foster research in all areas of medicine for healthcare professionals.

As a non-profit teaching and training bioskills facility, the Medical Education & Research Institute (MERI) supports essential medical training for the greater good.

Our mission is to promote health and welfare of our global community by providing and supporting quality medical education, hands-on training programs, and research in all areas of medicine for healthcare professionals.

Our vision is to be the leading medical education, hands-on training institution, and whole body donation organization, that honors the wishes of our Genesis Whole Body Donation Program donors to further scientific advancements through the gift of body donations, leading to medical innovations and new technologies for improved patient care.
Our Values

Customer Service

We strive to provide a state-of-the-art facility and support hands-on educational and research courses for physicians, nurses, paramedics, and other health professionals.

 

 

Ethical Business Practices

As an accredited organization, we adhere to the rigorous standards established by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and ensure all donors are treated with the upmost dignity and respect.

 

 

Supporting Hands-On Learning

By supporting hands-on learning, we empower individuals to deepen their understanding through direct involvement and application in real-world scenarios.

 

 

Assist in Innovation

To ensure the optimal utilization of our state-of-the-art equipment and facility, MERI, as a non-profit organization, reinvests all earnings back into our operations. This commitment allows us to maintain and maximize the potential of our resources.

The Genesis Whole Body Donation Program plays a significant role in enabling us to effectively provide hands-on training.

Learn More About Whole-Body Donation

Charitable Members

Our Board of Directors is made up of leaders from our charitable member organizations Baptist Memorial Health Care, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute.

Semmes-Murphy Neurologic & Spine Institute

Kevin T. Foley, MD, F.A.C.S
Board Chairman & Medical Director, MERI; Professor, Dept. of Neurosurgery, UTHSC; Chairman, Semmes-Murphy Neurologic & Spine Institute
Jon H Robertson, MD
Board Vice Chairman, MERI; Professor & Chairman Emeritus, Dept. of Neurosurgery, UTHSC; Vice Chairman, Semmes-Murphy Neurologic & Spine Institute
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Brent Patterson
Chief Financial Officer, Semmes-Murphey Neurologic & Spine Institute
Adam S Arthur, MD
Professor, Dept. of Neurosurgery, UTHSC

Baptist Memorial Health Care

Jake Lancaster, MD
Board Secretary, MERI; Chief Medical Information Officer
Kimberly Young
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Kimberly Hallum Stewart
Baptist Administrator & Service Line Leader, System of Neurosciences and Cardiac
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Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

Chuck Lane
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Nikki Polis, PhD, RN
Senior Vice President & Chief Nurse Executive
Wayne Lipson, MD, MBA
Senior Vice President; System Chief Medical Officer
Matthew T Ballo, MD
Professor & Chairman, Dept. of Radiation Oncology, UTHSC; West Cancer Clinic

Our Team

JASON OWENS
Executive Director
DEVONYA LONGINO
Director of Finance
TONY BERNIL
Manager of Operations & Development
SETH AGRANOV
Information Technology Manager
ROBIN BOZARTH
Genesis Manager
CAYLA COOK
Marketing & Communications Manager
CHIP DOTY
Human Resources Manager
DANIEL LAWRENCE
Education Research & Planning Manager
RUTH MANGRUM
Laboratory Manager
TIFFANY REED
Program Coordinator
LOGAN SWANBERRY
Anatomical Manager
CLARICE TUCKER
Executive Research Assistant