February 10, 2025
Meet Marie Spencer (she/her), patient service representative at the Dorothy Mann Center at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. The Center and the Partnership work together to provide quality patient care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Center primarily serves pediatric and adolescent patients. However, in recent years, the Partnership and the Center have joined forces to establish an adult clinic at St. Chris, so that patients transitioning from adolescence to adulthood can continue to receive care within their trusted health home there. It is a vital partnership that aids in ensuring patients’ retention in care.
Marie is the first line of communication at the Dorothy Mann Center, where she manages all incoming traffic (via phone and in-person) and performs all pre-appointment verifications that aid in avoiding post-appointment errors. Marie contacts patients to remind them of upcoming appointments and to bring any necessary documentation, gently prods those patients who have not had a medical appointment for more than a few months to get them back into care, and when she can, she supports community outreach events. On the front line, Marie supports the multidisciplinary care team, allowing them to do what they do best, which is to provide quality services to individuals impacted by HIV.
What drew you to health care, and how did you get started?
I have always wanted to have an impact on people’s lives and have been working in health care since I was 18. I started as a wellness director for a senior home, where I served for 20 years, and then moved on to serve as the activities director, a position I held for five years.
What is your favorite hobby, activity or creative outlet?
My favorite activity is doing laundry.
What is your favorite memory of working here so far?
When I realized the change I made from working with seniors to working with teens and young adults; it mattered that I was there!
What’s something surprising that not many people know about you?
I used to be a beautician.