Roots:
I’ve lived in Austin since 1994, when my husband Keith and I moved here as he finished grad school. My dad was a native of Austin, his father was an engineering professor at UT, and his half-sister was living here when we moved. She introduced me to walk the hike n’ bike trails in Austin. My parents and older sister all went to UT for college, so we have lots of ties here.
Family life:
I am married to Keith, who I met in college at Duke, where we both were members of a Christian singing group. We married about 5 years after college when I had begun my pediatric residency and he was in grad school. We used to do worship music at various churches over the years, since he plays piano and I sing. We are blessed with three awesome children by adoption, each arriving to us as a baby. The oldest is Louisa, who just turned 18 and is a senior at Austin High. The second is Jonathan, 15 and a sophomore at McCallum, where he plays piano and is in the band. Lauren rounds out the group. She is also 15 but 6 weeks younger than her brother. She is Louisa’s full sister and was a surprise to us! They are the best kids, they get along well and they love their adoption stories.
Work life:
I am a pediatric hospitalist, which I’ve done for the past 19 years in Austin. I used to work at the old Children’s Hospital on 15th but now work at Dell Children’s. I love my job. It gives me joy and great satisfaction to help children and families through the stress of illness. I feel so honored to work with the caring professionals there. It is a wonderful team. And best of all, I get to do it part-time so I can also be present for my kids!
The biggest lesson I’ve learned through my iGnite experience…
I’ve learned to trust my body to be strong and my energy to be enough for each day. I enjoy exercise and the outdoors, and I find it so much more motivating to workout with others, so iGnite suits me well! The other women are so inspiring and encouraging to me.
I’m most inspired by…
My kids inspire me. They are unafraid to be themselves, which keeps reminding me to live an authentic, present life!
In my free time…
I’ve been reading a lot lately. I helped start up a book club in our neighborhood a year or two ago, and it’s been fun to read a big variety of books chosen by the group. I rediscovered books about 7 years ago – when the kids were finally all in school! – and I’ve been a happy reader ever since. I also do some creative sewing and even a little quilting. I’m saving more of that hobby for when I have grandkids!
My celebrity look alike is…
Katie Couric and Princess Leia from Star Wars, so I am told!
the iGnite blog 
Hi Marion!
My name is Phoebe Burns. Our daughter Kendall is in her first year of Pediatric Residency at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, MO, and my husband Tom is an orthopedist who grew up in Austin. I enjoyed reading your story and hope to meet you sometime. I try to go to Betty’s cardio dance class Tuesday mornings. Sincerely, Phoebe
Hi Phoebe, thanks for connecting! I would love to meet you, and I hope your daughter is enjoying her residency. That’s so exciting! I work with residents and students too–I know it isn’t an easy time, so I hope her program is supportive. I haven’t tried Betty’s class–perhaps I will so I can meet you! Mation