Merle Gertrude McPherson

Dr. Merle G. (née MacRae) McPherson passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 20, 2024 at the age of 89 years in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband of 64 years, Archie, by her side. Mother of five, grandmother of fourteen and great-grandmother of seven, Merle lived a remarkable life, and was well known for her grace, her ready smile, and the impact she made in the treatment of children with special healthcare needs both nationally and internationally.

Born in Eatonia, Saskatchewan, Merle received her medical degree from the University of Saskatchewan, and a master’s degree in public health from John’s Hopkins University. She was a Fellow of the American Academy of Preventive Medicine and an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Merle became involved in Community Pediatrics and Public Health early in her career and had a long and distinguished career in Public Health and Healthcare Policy. Her experiences in communities in the 1960’s and 70’s revealed to her that healthcare programs were not providing the necessary support and services for families which led to her pioneer work that focused national attention on family/professional collaboration in the delivery of healthcare to Special Needs Children.

During her long and distinguished Federal career, Dr. Mcpherson's work was characterized by collaboration and partnership - with families, health care professionals, states and communities, and a wide range of organizations in the public and private sectors.

She received numerous awards for her work on behalf of children's health capped by the Presidential Rank of Distinguished Executives, the highest award a federal executive can receive. In addition The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs named an award in her honor (The Merle McPherson Family Leadership Award). She received a Lifetime Achievement award from the National Hemophilia Foundation for all bleeding and clotting disorders.

Merle retired in 2007 after 30 years with the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health. She had served as Acting Director of MCH from 1985-86 and as Director of the Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs from 1987 to 2007. After her retirement she received the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, Title V Lifetime Achievement Award. On that occasion Dr Michael Lu, then Associate Administrator of the Bureau, praised her visionary leadership and her lasting impact on public health policy and practice, describing her as “one of the few giants in our field who are truly larger than life” and described how her visionary leadership led to a paradigm shift from a deficit based, categorical, medical model of care to a consumer driven, family centered and strength based comprehensive model, which has become a standard of care for all children.

For all her success in her career, Merle would say her greatest joys were her family and her wonderful years wandering the world with her husband Archie. From skiing, sailing, scuba diving, wandering the National Parks all over the US, to visiting the Arctic and Antarctic, aII 7 continents, the Taj Mahal, the ancient silk route and about every other exotic destination you could possibly imagine, Merle lived life to the fullest. Merle is survived by her husband Archie; her sons Tim (Diana) Scott, Mark (Kim), Garth (Joyce), and Malcolm (Kelly), her 14 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. Merle would be the first to say that she owed a great debt of gratitude to someone who helped raise her kids, throw amazing parties, and helped her thrive – Josephine Chichester Wall. There will be a private celebration of life, with family.

Fond memories and condolences for the McPherson family can be made at valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Family Voices.