About Marie
Nurse practitioner Marie Bennion’s son was born prematurely and nearly died twice in the NICU in 1988. “I was a single mom and was educated on how to take care of a preemie on a ventilator at home,” she says. From then on, she knew a career in nursing was the path for her.
She has now been a nurse for more than 24 years. “For 17 years, I have practiced acute care ranging from flight nursing to emergency nursing,” she says. In her role, she saves lives every day and constantly thinks about what else she can do for her patients. This characteristic made an advanced nursing career a fulfilling path for Marie. “With my extensive acute care knowledge and involvement in trauma-related treatments, I decided to pursue a specialty in trauma.”
Marie earned her master’s degree in nursing at Indiana University South Bend. She jokes that there, she learned to not wait until the last minute to write research papers. But in seriousness, her patients have taught her that there is always another side to their life’s story. “Some people seek help to change their life’s situation, while some refuse assistance and risk their safety and health with a chance of serious consequences,” she explains. Marie understands this well, and she practices medicine with responsibility, care, empathy and humor to help patients of all backgrounds.
“I want patients to learn that they can trust me. I want them to have conversations with me when they feel that they can’t trust or talk to anyone else.”
In her own words
Who is or was the most influential person/role model in your life? God was and still is my influence. My life is one big puzzle. God takes the pieces and helps me put them together one by one.
What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? My first job was at Showbiz Pizza Place, now known as Chuck E. Cheese. They had me walking around the restaurant dressed in a bear costume and entertaining birthday parties.
What are your hobbies, interests? Brazilian jiujitsu and muay thai boxing.
If you could sit down to dinner with anyone, alive or deceased, who would it be and why? If I could sit down to dinner with anyone, I would ask God to place my dad at the table. I miss his words of wisdom and the “dad jokes.”
In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Besides medicine, my other passion is having gatherings with my kids and grandchildren. The funny conversations we have make my belly hurt!