Carol Marsh reflects on a 44-year health care career

By Andrea Busche

Carol Marsh isn’t afraid of hard work. On the contrary, she relishes it.

On June 4, 2021, she officially retired after a 44-year career at St. Luke’s hospital. However, she continues to be actively involved in many medical boards and associations, and even plans to continue working part time.

Marsh is also a purple-ribbon winner at the Minnesota State Fair, earning top honors for her homemade pies. And when it comes to overcoming challenges, her story of surviving cancer — and its devastating after-effects — have inspired many.

If you’re looking for an aspirational example of an active life of service, even into retirement, look no further.

Life on the farm

The seeds for Marsh’s work ethic, along with the inspiration to become a nurse, were planted in her youth. She was born and raised on a dairy farm about 20 miles from Bemidji, Minnesota. Marsh and her sister helped with daily chores on the farm, including haying in the summer time, and cleaning the barn.

Marsh learned the value of hard work from her parents, who both worked on the farm; her mother was also an elementary school teacher. She clearly remembers the dedication it took to keep the farm running.

“It didn’t matter if my dad had a backache; he still had to milk the cows,” Marsh said.

Inspiration for nursing

Shortly after graduating from Bemidji High School, Marsh’s grandfather became sick with pancreatic cancer. Marsh had long been considering a career in the medical field, but the professionalism and compassion displayed by her grandpa’s caregivers solidified this decision.

“His nurse made such an impression on me,” Marsh said.

After her grandfather’s passing, she moved to Duluth in order to pursue an education. “The expectation was that I would stick around my small town and farm,” Marsh said. “But I didn’t feel led to do that.”

Education

Marsh’s educational achievements are vast. First, she entered a registered nursing program at St. Luke’s School of Nursing, where she earned a diploma. Later, she returned to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in health arts from the College of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois.

She then earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from The College of St. Scholastica, and later, a master’s degree from CSS as a family nurse practitioner. She also has a certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a family nurse practitioner.

She earned a post-graduate certificate in cardiovascular health and disease management from Loyola University in Chicago. Lastly, Marsh earned a doctor of nursing practice from CSS in May 2009.

Career

Marsh began her career at St. Luke’s in 1977, and never left.

“My intention was to stay for one year, get some experience, and move on,” she said. “But St. Luke’s has become like a family to me, and I stayed.”

Some career highlights spanning her 44 years of service include: working on the general surgical floor; as a staff nurse in the ICU; as the educational coordinator for critical care nursing; the head nurse in the ICU; working in occupational medicine and cardiology; and as an advanced practice nurse in cardiology – it was here that Marsh spent the bulk of her career.

Call to cardiology

Marsh has a special connection to cardiology, and has been involved in the Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association for over 20 years. In 2021, she was awarded the Terry Thomas Clinical Practice Award, which recognizes nurses for their prevention efforts regarding cardiovascular disease.

Marsh has served on the Board of Parish Nurses; is a member of the American College of Cardiology; and is a member of the National Lipid Association and American Nurses Association. She is also certified as a Clinical Lipids Specialist through the National Lipid Association. Marsh has also presented on the topic of cardiovascular health in a variety of venues.

When it comes to heart-healthy advice for the average person, Marsh said, “Stay active and avoid processed foods. Movement in general is good. Start small – like walking to your mailbox. It’s a process.”

Family and personal interests

Marsh has been married to her husband, Bob, for 38 years, and the couple live in Duluth. The Marshes have three adult children: Ben (36), Rachel (33), and Chris (27). They also have three grandchildren, and a Havanese dog named Sheldon.

In her spare time, Marsh enjoys reading, walking, politics and attending Minnesota Twins games with Bob. She is also a prolific baker.

“Growing up on the farm, I was exposed to a lot of cooking,” she said. “My dad served on the fair board, and I was in 4-H. In

2008, I was diagnosed with cancer. I went through some horrible years of treatment-related side effects, and wanted a distraction. So, I thought back to the fun times I had at the fair.”

Marsh began baking pies, and, to her surprise, the successes and recognitions came quickly. She won first-place in Braham, Minnesota’s Pie Day, for her single-crust apple pie with butterscotch crumb topping. She has also won four purple ribbons at the Minnesota State Fair.

“For whatever reason, I have a knack for making pies,” she said with a laugh.

Retirement

Although she is technically retired, Marsh continues to work part time.

“I do casual filling-in, in cardiology outreach in outlying areas like Hibbing and Ashland,” she noted. “I can cover in the clinic and the stress lab.”

In 2008, Marsh was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and had to endure grueling surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Yet, she continued working — even pursuing her education — throughout her treatments. Today she is in remission and relishes her life and health.

“I think when you get diagnosed, some people give up,” she said. “If you have a change in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss, get a screening – if it’s caught early, it can be treated.”

As someone who did just that, Marsh looks forward to a happy and fulfilling retirement full of baking, professional interests, family and friends.

“I would really like to do more with cooking in retirement,” she said. “Maybe I’ll work on a cookbook. Other than that, I really just want to enjoy my family and friends.” D