Dr. Ann Mercer, originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, embodies a rich tapestry of cultural and academic achievements. Her father, an Iraqi immigrant who pursued a degree in engineering, and her mother, a dedicated teacher, laid the foundation for a life of exploration and learning. After growing up in California, Dr. Mercer embarked on an extraordinary adventure with her partner, sailing a twenty-six-foot trimaran that they built, from California through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean—a testament to her adventurous spirit.
Dr. Mercer received her medical education at the School of Tropical Medicine in Puerto Rico, where she pursued her passion for medicine. As a devoted mother of ten, she has been serving the community of Las Cruces, New Mexico, in private practice since 1984. Grateful for her many blessings and the opportunity to study medicine, she finds joy in mentoring future physicians. Many students who have shadowed her have gone on to thrive at the UNM School of Medicine, a reflection of her passion for teaching and commitment to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals.