After a nearly 40-year career at Intermountain Healthcare, Diane Marshall will retire from her role as cardiovascular operations director for the Salt Lake Valley hospitals on Friday, August 7.
“Diane was instrumental in building the cardiology presence [throughout] the entire Intermountain system,” says Troy Creer, RN, Intermountain executive nursing director of clinical care operations. “She helped develop, grow, and refine the cardiovascular clinical program to where it is today.”
Diane Marshall early in her career (top) and more recently (bottom)
Beginning her career with Intermountain’s cardiology division in 1981, Diane was hired as an administrative assistant at LDS Hospital. She became the cardiovascular operations director two years later. She also took on an additional role as Intermountain’s senior manager of cardiovascular product strategies within the materials management department for three years — a role that helped pave the way to what’s now the Intermountain Supply Chain Organization.
Throughout her four decades with Intermountain, Diane contributed to countless efforts and projects that established and grew the Intermountain cardiovascular program. Diane recalled a few memorable “first” milestones within the cardiovascular program, including the first:
- Coronary stent placement
- Heart transplant
- Artificial heart implant
- LVAD implant
- Electrophysiology procedure
- Transcatheter aortic valve replacement
- Cardiac PET/CT program
Diane also recalled the significance of Intermountain’s establishment of its cardiovascular DNA lab and database registry, in addition to its development of the cardiovascular clinical program, the Supply Chain Organization, cardiovascular genetic counseling, and the adult congenital heart disease program.
She also loved getting to know and work alongside her teams of dedicated caregivers.
“I’ve been lucky to work with brilliant teams of caregivers who have built a strong legacy,” Diane says.
Troy also recalled how Diane was a mentor to many Intermountain leaders, including himself. “She introduced me to the inner workings of the facility and the Intermountain system. Her history and depth of knowledge cannot be replaced nor replicated, and her friendship will be missed.”
A.G. Kfoury, MD, an Intermountain heart failure and transplant cardiologist, has found memories of his quarter-century friendship with Diane.
“Diane was always a steadfast advocate for our heart failure team,” says Dr. Kfoury. “Professionally, I admired her cool-headed leadership and fairness. On a personal level, I value her friendship, sharp humor, and big heart… It’s fair to say that she was ‘the rock’ of the whole cardiovascular division. Her retirement is an enviable milestone for an amazing career in healthcare management that she should be very proud of.”
Kirk Knowlton, MD, chair of Intermountain’s cardiovascular department and associate medical director for cardiology, says Diane’s knowledge of Intermountain would “fill a shelf like a traditional encyclopedia” if it were put onto paper.
“She’s passionate about using her knowledge to help Intermountain become its best,” says Dr. Knowlton. “She listens well and is willing to give counsel and advice that helps solve whatever the challenge is… Diane, my life is better for having known you.”
Diane is excited to watch the continued progress her teams will make in the future and says she knows “a cure for heart disease is within reach.”