Merritt Tolan, MD

“You’ve got to listen to the patient. The patient will tell you what’s wrong.”

Originally from South Carolina, Dr. Tolan didn’t grow up in a medical family, but somehow both she and her sister (a nurse) ended up working in medicine. “I always knew that I wanted to be a doctor. I just always had that feeling,” she says. Dr. Tolan believes her experience in anesthesiology in the operating room helped prepare her for working in pain management. Even before surgery, she had to think about managing the patient’s pain not only during surgery but after. Because she has always been focused on pain management, whether acute or chronic, Dr. Tolan realized that it’s her passion.

Approach
Dr. Tolan conducts a thorough assessment to determine the underlying diagnosis, including a review of current medications. “I like to start simply, usually with physical therapy if  possible,” she says. “Instead of jumping to chronic pain medications, I explore interventional treatments, like injections, that support the diagnosis.”

For chronic pain patients, balancing movement with medication might be most effective. “My job is to find the right medication combination that offers relief without affecting other conditions,” she says. “It’s not one-size-fits-all; creativity is sometimes required.”

A few years ago, Dr. Tolan experienced a serious car accident that left her with chronic neck pain. She regularly receives trigger point and occipital injections along with daily anti-inflammatory medications. “I can personally relate to some of the treatments I discuss with patients,” she says.

Dr. Tolan stays updated on the latest interventions and finds acupuncture, massage therapy, and yoga effective personally: “How I treat my pain is another way I can help my patients.”

Credentials
Dr. Tolan earned her undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry from Converse College in South Carolina. She received her doctorate in medicine and performed her residency in anesthesiology at the Medical University of South Carolina, later working there as a staff anesthesiologist and a clinical instructor/assistant professor. Dr. Tolan also worked as a pain management specialist in various parts of South Carolina before joining Synovation in 2024.

Personal
Dr. Tolan enjoys yoga, cooking, and reading. She also loves spending time with her three daughters, one grandson, and her furry roommates, a dog and a cat.