Bradley R Merk

Bradley R Merk, MD is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. He maintains clinical practice at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, with office location at NMH/259 E Erie, Room 13-100, Chicago.

Education

• MD: University of Illinois, Chicago (1994)
• Residency: Northwestern University, McGaw Medical Center (1999)
• Fellowship: Hospital for Special Surgery (2000)

Research Focus

Dr. Merk's work centers on orthopedic trauma, foot and ankle surgery, and nanotechnology applications. His research addresses critical challenges in fracture fixation techniques, patient-reported outcomes, and sterilization protocols for orthopedic instruments. Key investigations include biomechanical comparisons of plating systems, predictors of functional recovery, and infection control in surgical instrumentation.

Publication Trends

His recent publications (2016-2018) demonstrate consistent focus on trauma surgery and surgical safety. Studies analyze comparative effectiveness of fixation methods for osteoporotic fractures, patient outcome predictors in ankle trauma, antibiotic protocols for ballistic injuries, and bioburden in reusable instruments—highlighting his commitment to evidence-based orthopedic care and surgical innovation.

Honors

• James Stack teacher of the year award, Northwestern University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (2025)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (2021)

Professional Engagement

Dr. Merk actively contributes to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association, American Orthopaedic Association, and AO North America. His affiliation with the Simpson Querrey Institute supports interdisciplinary research in nanotechnology applications for orthopedic surgery, while his teaching award reflects commitment to medical education.