FirstHealth of the Carolinas is pleased to welcome Shannon Merwin, FNP-C, to FirstHealth Primary Care-Southern Pines, where she joins Michael Williamson, DNP, in providing primary care services to patients in the Sandhills community.
Merwin joins the practice following the departure of Nicole Jackson, D.O., who recently relocated out of the area due to her husband’s military service.
A board certified family nurse practitioner, Merwin brings a strong clinical background and passion for chronic disease management and patient education.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a master’s degree in nursing from Simmons University.
Merwin has more than seven years of inpatient nursing experience, primarily in women and children’s services, and also worked in critical care as a registered nurse. Prior to joining FirstHealth, she served for more than three years as a family nurse practitioner at a private practice in Raeford.
After caring for a parent with terminal cancer, Merwin said she felt called to pursue a career in health care.
“That experience inspired me to pursue a path focused on helping individuals navigate health crises with compassion and quality care,” said Merwin. “As my career progressed, I became committed to addressing health disparities and promoting prevention and management of chronic diseases to improve long-term patient outcomes.”
Merwin said she is especially passionate about helping patients better understand and manage chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
“Effective treatment requires a collaborative effort between patient and health care provider focused on meeting the patient’s individual needs, limitations and level of commitment in order to achieve sustainable health outcomes,” she said.
She added that the most rewarding part of her work is seeing patients gain confidence as they improve their health.
“I enjoy helping patients reach their personal health goals and gain the confidence to improve their long-term well-being,” Merwin said. “It is especially meaningful when patients can share their knowledge and experiences to encourage and support others facing similar health challenges.”
Merwin said her previous experience working as a registered nurse with FirstHealth made the decision to return an easy one.
“I loved how the physicians, advanced practice providers and nurses were committed to helping me through education, experience and knowledge,” she said. “They were also incredibly supportive of their patients and committed to caring for them. I wanted to be part of a team that’s devoted to each other and their patients.”
Outside of work, Merwin enjoys gardening and raising vegetables and flowers from seed. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and three children attending football games, marching band competitions and caring for their horse.
