<Tr> <Th> Significant other (s) </Th> <Td> Finn Dandridge Will Thorpe Nathan Riggs </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> Zola Shepherd (daughter) Derek Bailey Shepherd (son) Ellis Shepherd (daughter) </Td> </Tr> <P> Meredith Grey, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States . The character was created by series' producer Shonda Rhimes, and is portrayed by actress Ellen Pompeo . Meredith is the series' protagonist, and was introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital (later Seattle Grace - Mercy West, and afterwards Grey Sloan Memorial), eventually obtaining the position of a resident, and later the position of an attending, and in 2015, attaining the Chief of General Surgery position . As the daughter of world - renowned surgeon Ellis Grey, Meredith struggles with the everyday life of being in a competitive profession, maintaining the relationship with her one - night stand and eventual husband Derek Shepherd (deceased), her motherhood, and her friendships with her colleagues . </P> <P> Meredith is the narrator of the show and serves as the focal point for most episodes . Pompeo's connection with Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd) is acclaimed as a high point of the series . Rhimes has characterized Meredith as not believing in good or bad, but instead doing what she thinks is right . Grey has been positively received by television critics, with Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times referring to her as "the heroine of Grey's Anatomy". News of Pompeo leaving arose when it was made clear that her contract ended after the eighth season, and whether or not she would return to the series after her contract expires has been the centre of media speculation ever since . In 2016, Pompeo re-negotiated her contract and signed up for the thirteenth season of the show . </P>

When does meredith become head of general surgery