ST. GEORGE — Redrock Pediatrics honored Dr. Michael Marsden on Thursday for his work with patient Kristofer Chesley and his family.
Redrock Pediatrics at Intermountain Healthcare Dixie Regional Medical Center welcomed the Chesley family, Marsden’s family and hospital staff to surprise him when he arrived at work at 1:30 p.m. Walking through the door, he stopped and looked around in confusion when he saw how many people were waiting for him.
The hospital staff presented Marsden with a card to show their appreciation for his hard work and Kristofer Chesley gave him a blanket to say “thank you.”
“That’s one of the nicest things that’s ever happened to me in my career, I mean, I’m just privileged to take care of him, that was payment enough for me,” Marsden said.
Amy Chesley shared their story and expressed how grateful she was for everything that Marsden did for them as they went through a trying time.
When 8-year-old Kristofer Chesley was diagnosed with having a Chiari malformation of the brain, Marsden provided the support and advice that the family needed.
Chiari malformation is a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward.
Chiari malformation is uncommon, but increased use of imaging tests have led to more frequent diagnoses.
“You definitely aren’t just a number if you are Dr. Marsden’s patient,” Amy Chesley said. “You are a person that he deeply cares about.”
On March 26, Kristofer Chesley had to have a brain decompression with duraplasty. During the surgery Marsden called to let them know he was thinking about Kristofer Chesley and to assure them that everything would be alright, which helped to calm the nervous parents.
After the surgery, the neurosurgeon said that he was glad they did the surgery, because Kristofer Chesley’s condition was worse than they originally thought. Amy Chesley attributes this decision to Marsden, who advised them not to wait to have the surgery.
Amy Chesley said family is grateful to Marsden for working so hard to do what was right for her son, even when they felt like giving up.
“In our darkest moments I believe we are sent people to watch over us and protect us, Dr. Marsden is that person,” Chesley said.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews | @MikaylaShoup
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.
Dr. Marsden is exceptional. We are lucky to have him in St. George. I have 5 children and we’ve lived in three states; he’s the best pediatrician we’ve had. Congrats and certainly well deserved!
I love Dr. Marsden. Not only is he a brilliant physician but he is so funny and cares so much about his patients. It’s difficult to put into words how much people appreciate great people like him. The world needs more Dr. Marsdens.