Jorge Mera, MD serves as the Director of the Infectious Disease Department at Cherokee Nation Health Services, the largest tribally operated healthcare system in the United States. Driven by his commitment to public health, he spearheaded the nation’s first Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) elimination program in Indian Country in 2015, in response to the national epidemic. He has provided critical treatment recommendations to over 1400 American Indian/Alaska Native patients, significantly impacting the course of HCV in indigenous communities.
Dr. Mera has played a pivotal role in establishing and advancing ECHO hubs across Indian Country. These hubs, addressing a spectrum of health challenges including COVID-19, HIV, infectious diseases, substance use disorders, and the complex HIV/HCV/SUD/Syphilis syndemic.
Dr. Mera completed his fellowship in Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and holds Board Certification in Infectious Diseases from the American Board of Internal Medicine. Currently, he serves as an Associate Professor in the Infectious Diseases Division at the University of New Mexico, Health Science Center. Furthermore, his influence extends globally, as a Strategic Advisor for Project ECHO in Latin America, and locally, as the ECHO Medical Director for the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Dr. Mera is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.