Ashley Marek, MD
My specialties:
- Critical care
- General surgery
A referral may be needed for this provider.
Professional interests:
- Hernia surgery
- thyroid surgery
- Parathyroid surgery
- Breast surgery
- Colon surgery
I am a board-certified surgeon specializing in surgical critical care. I have professional interests in hernia surgery, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and breast and colon surgery.
Hometown: Absaraka, ND
I decided to become surgeon: during a summer internship at a newspaper while completing a degree in journalism. I was able to interview multiple people in the health care field, including two surgeons, and discovered that I wanted to be able to help others in the same way they did.
Something I've learned from my patients is: that understanding their concerns about their care is one of the most important parts of my job. Creating a trusting relationship is as important as the surgery itself.
One of the challenges of my career that I enjoy is: that there is never an opportunity to be bored. You have to be proficient in many different things and for that reason you must be a lifelong learner, particularly as technology improves.
If I wasn't a doctor, I would be a: travel writer. I grew up in a small town and have always dreamed of traveling around the world. Getting the opportunity to write about it as my job would be the best of both worlds.
Practice philosophy: Even though it is my day-to-day, surgery may be a major event in each of my patients’ lives. I try remember that as I help my patients understand the "hows" and "whys" behind needing or not needing surgery.
Credentials
- MD
Board-certified specialties
- Critical care
- General surgery
Personal interests
- Cooking
- Theater
- Travel
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Major health plans we participate in
- Allina Health | Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
- HealthPartners
- Medica
- PreferredOne
- SelectCare/LaborCare
- UCare
- UnitedHealthcare
Other health plans we participate in
- Medicaid/Medicare
- Aetna
- America's PPO
- First Health/Coventry
- CIGNA
- Humana
- Hennepin Health (formerly Metropolitan Health Plan)
- PrimeWest
- South Country Health Alliance
- United Behavioral Health
- Wisconsin Physician Services (WPS)