Ellie Merritt is co-anchor of NBC4 at 5 p.m. and the medical reporter.

Ellie joined the NBC4 family in May of 2008. Prior to her work with NBC4, Ellie has held anchor and reporter positions at stations in Minnesota, Missouri and Ohio.

Ellie is an Emmy Award winning news anchor and reporter.  She recently was honored with an Emmy Award for her coverage in the Autism Puzzle.  In 2003, Ellie was honored with a regional Emmy Award for her spot news coverage of the riots that followed the Ohio State Buckeyes win over Michigan in 2002. The same story also earned her a National Emmy nomination. Ellie was also honored with a Minnesota Broadcaster’s Award in 1998 for her spot news coverage of the tornadoes that devastated southern Minnesota.

Ellie loves the adventure that broadcast journalism brings to her life. Ellie has trained with firefighters, reported live from inside a hot air balloon, covered the destruction of severe tornadoes, and interviewed political figures and celebrities from all walks of life. But Ellie really enjoys getting to know the people she interviews and researching stories to bring viewers the most accurate, reliable and relative information.

Ellie is most proud to call herself a mom. Ellie and her husband have two daughters. They are the lights of their lives! Every day, parenthood brings new challenges, adventures and blessings. Ellie took some time away from her career to start a family, so she knows what it is like to be a stay-at-home mom and all the craziness that comes with the job.

Now, Ellie is learning to balance motherhood with a full-time career. Being a parent really is the toughest and most important job, but Ellie wouldn’t trade the joys of motherhood for anything. Being a mother is exciting, rewarding and exhausting all at once! It takes being flexible, prioritizing and the ability to laugh at yourself every now and then.

Committed to community service, Ellie volunteers her time for many Columbus-area charities. She is a member of the Junior League of Columbus and serves on the Board of Directors for Dress for Success Columbus.  Ellie recently served as the Honorary Co-Chair of AIDS Walk Columbus and volunteers to emcee many charity walks, fundraisers, and events. In 2004, Ellie ran the Columbus Marathon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help fight cancer.

Ellie grew up in Minnesota and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. Ellie was nominated for the First Decade Award at Gustavus for her achievements in journalism.

Ellie and her husband, Matt, enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants and spending time with their two daughters. They also enjoy going to Columbus Blue Jackets games and Buckeye football and basketball games. They are proud to call Central Ohio home and plan to raise a family here.

Ellie would love to hear from you. Do you have a story idea or want to share your story? Feel free to email Ellie at emerritt@wcmh.com.