UPHS – Marquette Heroes | Darcy Macke
May 2, 2024
What is your role at UPHS?
What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
I was living downstate when I finished a degree in public administration with a concentration in community development. I wasn’t sure what opportunities I would have in the small town I was living in, but I knew I wanted to find an organization where I could make a difference in my community. A position opened at the local hospital, and once I experienced the healthcare environment, I knew that was where I wanted to be.
What’s a typical day like for you? What is it like working in this field?
A typical day is a day that has no predictable flow. I am constantly shifting focus, as tasks of varying importance come to me. From scheduling patients for follow-up visits and treatments to sending out referrals and obtaining insurance authorizations for imaging, my position is fast-paced and ever-changing.
How long have you been employed here? Have you always been in the same position?
About two years. In 2018, I worked as a registration specialist at the Medical Center for about six months before I ended up relocating downstate with my family, and for the last year and a half, I’ve been in the same position in Hematology/Oncology.
What are some of the big changes you have experienced in this position?
There have not been many changes within the department, but there has been a big increase in the number of patients we see.
What are some of your interests outside of work? What is your favorite local gem?
I love being outside, and almost daily, I spend time walking along the lakeshore looking for rocks and beach glass. I enjoy creative endeavors from writing, to experimenting with various art mediums. I love meeting new people, hearing their stories and discovering new places. My favorite local gem is anywhere outside! I love to be by the lake or in the woods, and Sugarloaf.
What do you enjoy most about working at UPHS – Marquette?
I enjoy having the opportunity to interact with patients and their families. Having had my own cancer diagnosis years ago, I know how stressful and overwhelming it can be dealing with making appointments, getting referrals and worrying about whether insurance will cover imaging or other procedures. Knowing that my efforts often help make their experience a little less stressful makes me happy. I also enjoy collaboration between coworkers in my department and throughout the hospital. I like being a part of an organization that regularly goes above and beyond to meet the needs of our patients and their families.