After more than 45 years of service, Doug Martin, RN, MBA, is retiring from Parkview Heart Institute. We invited him to reflect on the early days of his career, the changes he’s welcomed over the years and how he’s feeling as he reflects on his professional accomplishments.

I started nursing school in 1976, attending the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing (LHSN), which was a diploma-based program. At that time, there were few university nursing degree programs available in Indiana. In the mid-‘70s there were also very few males in the nursing profession. In 1979, I became the 3rd male to graduate from LHSN, which had been in existence since the early 1920s.

After graduation, my first nursing position was in the Coronary Care Unit at Lutheran Hospital. I worked there for approximately three years and then transferred to the cardiac catheterization lab.  In 1985, I left the hospital setting and took a position as the first hospital rounding nurse for Fort Wayne Cardiology. At that time, the group had just hired their fifth cardiologist and had approximately 25 employees. I had the privilege of working with many talented physicians, including Michael Mirro, MD.

Growing over the years

Throughout my 37-plus-year career with the cardiology practice, I was involved with a variety of different departments and specialty areas. Early on, I participated with the planning and development of the pacemaker and nuclear cardiology departments. I also trained to perform echocardiograms, working on our mobile echocardiography service. 

In 1984, I finished my bachelor’s degree, graduating from the University of St. Francis Bachelor of Nursing completion program and I took a supervisory role within Cardiology. In 1993, I completed my MBA and was promoted to director of clinical operations for Fort Wayne Cardiology. I had the opportunity to be involved with the planning and implementation of our outpatient cardiac catheterization lab, then the vascular ultrasound department. 

Over the next several years, the cardiology practice continued to grow, both in the number of providers and employees, and our geographic footprint, expanded cardiology services to 11 outreach clinics throughout northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio. 

Joining the Parkview family

In January of 2010, Fort Wayne Cardiology joined Parkview Physicians Group and I was offered the role of Vice President of Operations for Cardiology ambulatory practices, and later Cardiovascular Surgery. In 2016, the Parkview Heart Institute formally organized to integrate both the inpatient and outpatient services under one umbrella, as it stands today. 

Over my career, I have had the opportunity to observe and participate in the start of many remarkable advances in cardiovascular medicine. I saw many “firsts” for the specialty in Fort Wayne and surrounding areas, and the majority were accomplished through the effort, leadership and oversight of our physicians, leaders and hardworking co-workers.

There have been many changes and challenges in healthcare over my 44-year career in healthcare, especially in the last decade or so. But along my journey, I had the privilege to work with the most incredible group of dedicated and talented physicians, APPs, co-leaders and staff, with one primary goal in mind: Providing high quality cardiovascular care and unparalleled service to our patients and community. 

I will greatly miss the amazing people I work with every day, and I am eternally grateful for those who influenced, guided, mentored and befriended me along the way. I have been truly proud and blessed to be part of the Parkview organization, whose mission and vision parallels my own personal values. I have strived to work hard and to make a positive difference in the organization, but most important, in the lives of the people around me, not for my own recognition, but for my Lord and savior who made it all possible. I hope that, on most days, I was able to succeed in that endeavor. 

A message from Dr. Mirro

Doug is one of the most remarkable individuals I have had the privilege of working with during my time as a physician in Fort Wayne.

We met as I performed cardiac procedures at Lutheran Hospital in the early ‘80s. I was drawn to his talent and dedication to excellence in patient care. I hired Doug to be my rounding RN in 1984 and he started with Fort Wayne Cardiology on January 1, 1985. His introduction to our group was a company Christmas party at Club Olympia. (Let’s just say I had to make sure he was still willing to work for us after that.)

Doug and I had the greatest time working together, and he was a major reason why Fort Wayne Cardiology was so successful. He was more than willing to learn new skills and take on more responsibilities. Over the years we developed a deep trust, even developing our own code names and terms for confidential conversations.

Doug, congratulations! Your career is a true example of excellence in patient care and professional integrity. We were both so blessed to have transitioned to Parkview Health. I wish you all the best in your retirement.