Los Angeles, CA - October 10, 2025 - Prime Medical Evaluators, a premier California-based medical-legal organization dedicated to delivering impartial and high-quality Qualified Medical Evaluations (QMEs), proudly announces the addition of Dr. Kelly Mero Francis, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.M.B.S. to its distinguished panel of physicians. Dr. Francis brings more than two decades of surgical expertise, leadership, and academic distinction to Prime Medical Evaluators. Her extensive experience in minimally invasive, bariatric, and general surgery, coupled with her commitment to precision, ethics, and patient-centered care, exemplifies the core values of PME—providing evaluations that are smart, accurate, impartial, ethical, and timely.
About Dr. Kelly Mero Francis
Dr. Francis is a Board-Certified Surgeon with the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons as well as the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she also completed her Residency in General Surgery and a Research Fellowship. She advanced her specialization through a Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, where she later served as Clinical Instructor in the Department of Surgery.
Clinical and Academic Excellence
Dr. Francis’ distinguished career includes appointments at several leading California medical institutions, such as Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, Chapman Medical Center, Long Beach Memorial Hospital, and Los Angeles County/USC Hospital. Throughout her career, she has held multiple leadership and teaching positions, including Chair of the Department of Surgery (Two Terms) – Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, Director, Surgical Emergency Services – MemorialCare Foundation, Director of Bariatric Surgery – Chapman Medical Center, Medical Leadership Council Member – Optum Health, Mentor for Young Women in Surgery – American College of Surgeons, and Medical Executive, Peer Review, and Credentialing Committees – Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center. Her dedication to education and mentorship extends through her many years as a surgical instructor and conference speaker, promoting excellence in minimally invasive surgical practices and evidence-based medicine.
Surgical Expertise and Innovation
Dr. Francis is widely recognized for her expertise in advanced laparoscopic and minimally invasive procedures, including Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, Laparoscopic Gastrectomy, Colectomy, Splenectomy, Adrenalectomy, Cholecystectomy, Hernia repair, Appendectomy, Whipple pancreatic duodenectomy (minimally invasive), Gastrostomy and Jejunostomy tube placements. Her innovative surgical techniques and clinical precision have made her a sought-after consultant and leader in surgical care across Southern California.
Research and Publications
Dr. Francis’ research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as The Journal of Pediatric Surgery and The American Surgeon. Her scientific work explores topics including mesenteric blood flow, small bowel trauma management, and advanced surgical device applications. She has presented her findings at numerous national and regional conferences, including the Society of University Surgeons, Southeastern Surgical Congress, and the American College of Surgeons.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Francis’ academic excellence and teaching contributions have been recognized through multiple honors, including the I. Mims Gage Teaching Award – Tulane University School of Medicine (1995, 2000), Resident Research Award – Association of Academic Surgeons (1997), Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Award – Tulane University School of Medicine (1992), and Dean’s List – David Lipscomb University.
Community Leadership and Service
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Francis is deeply engaged in community health and philanthropy. She is the Founder and Director of “Team Hakuna Ma Tatas,” an award-winning fundraising team for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She also serves as Medical Director and Advisory Board Member for Maribocares, an organization dedicated to supporting patients undergoing breast cancer treatment, and volunteers annually at the Fall Festival of Health through Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center.
Commitment to Excellence
“As a surgeon and evaluator, my goal is to combine accuracy, compassion, and professionalism in every patient interaction,” said Dr. Kelly Mero Francis. “Joining Prime Medical Evaluators allows me to continue serving with integrity and contribute to an organization that values fairness, quality, and clinical excellence.” Prime Medical Evaluators is honored to welcome Dr. Francis to its distinguished panel of physicians. Her exceptional credentials, leadership, and lifelong dedication to medicine make her a vital addition to PME’s mission of providing trusted, ethical, and evidence-based medical evaluations.
About Prime Medical Evaluators
Prime Medical Evaluators is a premier California-based medical-legal organization dedicated to providing high-quality Qualified Medical Evaluations. Serving the legal and medical communities with integrity, Prime Medical Evaluators partners with a network of top-tier physicians across multiple specialties. The organization’s mission is to deliver clear, fair, and accurate evaluations that support both patients and the legal process.
For media inquiries please contact Eduardo Passi Nam (Prime Medical Evaluators)
Email: Eduardo@primemedicalevaluators.com
Phone: (800) 310-8707
Website: www.primemedicalevaluators.com
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