Nancy C. Santanello, MD, MS
Vice President
Epidemiology
Merck & Co., Inc.

Dr. Santanello is a physician-epidemiologist trained in Emergency Medicine and Preventive Medicine with a Masters of Science degree in Epidemiology. She is board certified by the American College of Preventive Medicine in Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology. Dr. Santanello received her undergraduate degree in 1971 from Marymount College of Fordham University and her medical degree in 1982 from Howard University School of Medicine. Dr. Santanello was a Medical Officer with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Prevention and Demonstration Research Branch of the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications (1987-1991). From 1991 to present, Dr. Santanello has been in the Department of Epidemiology at Merck Research Laboratories; in 2003 she was appointed to the position of head of that department. Her areas of research interest include: the development and validation of outcome measures for use in clinical trials, study design, adherence to therapy, satisfaction with and preference for therapy, effectiveness studies, pharmacoepidemiology, and interventions related to chronic diseases, particularly respiratory, migraine and cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Santanello has published over 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts. She has been invited to speak on outcome measurement issues at several national and international meetings. In 1998 Dr. Santanello received the Merck Directors Award, the Company’s highest honor, from the Board of Directors for her work in support of outcomes research measures for asthma, joining an elite group of 48 scientists honored in the 47 year history of this Merck award.