The Meyer family has practiced family medicine in Hondo for nearly a century, and that won’t end any time soon. Emily Sullivan Meyer, the first woman in the family to attend medical school, will receive her M.D. from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Medicine at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at Laurie Auditorium, Trinity University. And, you guessed it, after residency she hopes to be the fourth generation of Meyers to practice family medicine in Hondo.
“I’m so lucky to be from Hondo,” Emily said. “The community has always been supportive and wonderful, and I hope I can give something back.”
Meyer is the daughter of Dr. John and Gail Meyer of Hondo. She was valedictorian of the Hondo High School Class of 1995 and received a bachelor of arts degree, with honors, in theater and dance from The University of Texas at Austin in 2000. She excelled in medical school and the Alamo Chapter of the Texas Association of Family Physicians awarded her the S. Perry Post, M.D., Medical Student Scholarship, which is for a graduating senior who plans a career in family practice. Emily also received the John S. Primomo, M.D., Award for Exemplary Family Practice and the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award in recognition of exemplary compassion, competence and respect in the delivery of care.
Although Emily is the first woman in her family to attend medical school, she is not the first doctor in her family. She comes from a long line of physicians, who have served as outstanding role models and mentors for her.
Emily’s great-grandfather, Henry J. Meyer, M.D., attended Tulane Medical School in New Orleans and moved to Hondo in 1906 to begin general practice. He served on the Hondo school board from 1928 to 1946 and was president of the board for 15 years. Meyer Elementary School in Hondo is named for him.
Emily’s grandfather, Walter B. Meyer, M.D., graduated from Tulane and practiced medicine in Hondo from 1937 to 1977. He served on the school board from 1947-1965 and was board president for 17 years.
Emily’s uncle, Parker H. Meyer, M.D., graduated from Tulane in 1965, practiced in Hondo until 1991 and now sees patients in the Dallas suburb of DeSoto. Another uncle, James R. Meyer, M.D., graduated from Tulane in 1975, specializes in obstetrics and gynecology in The Woodlands, and returns to Hondo once a month to perform gynecological surgery.
Emily’s father, John W. Meyer, M.D., graduated from Tulane in 1974 and has been practicing medicine in Hondo for 28 years. He served on the Hondo school board from 1983 to 1998 and was board president for nine years. He served on the Texas Medical Foundation Executive Board from 1987 to 2003 and was president from 1995 to 1999. He currently serves on the Texas Medical Association Rural Health Committee and other panels.
Emily spent two months of her fourth year rotating with her dad at his office in Hondo. While there, she met several people who have been patients of the Meyer family for many years.
One such patient is the town optometrist, 82-year-old Dr. John Jennings, who was delivered by Emily’s great-grandfather. In fact, Dr. Jennings has been a patient of Emily’s great-grandfather, grandfather, one of her uncles and now her dad. Dr. Jennings, who still sees patients, told Emily that he would wait for her to come to practice in Hondo so that he could be seen by four generations of the Meyer family.
“My dad has been my role model and hero, and I can’t wait to practice with him,” Emily said. “I know this wouldn’t be happening without the support of my family, friends and the people of Hondo. It’s such a special place.”
Emily will begin her family practice residency at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital July 1. And just like her father, uncles, grandfather and great-grandfather before her, Emily will no doubt leave her mark on Hondo – and may someday inspire a fifth generation of Meyer family physicians to serve their hometown.