indianapoliswoman.com/covergallery/00/oct.asp -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 10/1/2000
Last Visited: 7/9/2008
When Marsha J. Casey was a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital 22 years ago, there was one part of her job that made her cringe."I hate needles and the hardest part for me was giving people shots," laughs the effervescent redhead.Casey left St. V's to begin a professional odyssey that has come full circle.Now she is giving a "shot in the arm" to St. Vincent Hospitals and Health Services as the entity's first woman lay president.
At 44, the former nurse has made a triumphant return to her hometown.Her position as head of seven Indiana hospitals places her in the rarefied atmosphere of non-doctor females heading large health care systems.She oversees 4,500 fulltime employees at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital, St. Vincent Carmel Hospital, St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood, St. Vincent Williamsport Hospital, St. Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon, St. Vincent Frankfort Hospital (formerly Clinton County Hospital) and St. Vincent Randolph (formerly Randolph County Hospital in Winchester).
Hoosier Upbringing
An Indianapolis native, Casey is the fourth of five daughters born to JoAnn and Robert A. Casey Jr.
...
"Marsha is like my second mom and I want to be just like her," exudes the Carmel Junior High School eighth grader."She is my confirmation sponsor and she is so supportive of all my activities.I'm big into women's rights and she is my role model."
It's not all work, long days and no play for the fun-loving Casey, who is a member of the high-spirited Lambs Club.She also is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization and Legatus, which is an international organization comprised of Catholic CEOs.
...
Casey makes those tough calls every day.And she receives effusive praise for her executive decisions from Vincent Caponi, CEO of the St. Vincent-anchored network, Central Indiana Health System."Marsha brings a sense of integrity and competency to her work that is outstanding.Her commitment to our ministry and her demonstrated values serve as an inspiration to all those with whom she works," he says.
Downplaying those accolades, Casey says, "At St. Vincent's, we treat the body, mind and spirit.To be part of this ministry is a lovely thing."Marsha Casey always has followed her spirit.It finally led her back home.