Marie Welshinger, MD

What are some of the specific conditions you treat?

Female patients with a pelvic mass; uterine cancer: uterine sarcoma or endometrial adenocarcinoma; ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer peritoneal primary cancer, cervix cancer and cancer of the vulva or vagina.

What techniques or procedures do you use in your practice?

Depending on the situation, I try to utilize minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate. However, gynecologic oncology surgical procedures are accomplished laparoscopically, via robotic-assisted laparoscopy or open laparotomy. The goal is to attain the best surgical outcome with the least morbidity to the patient. In some cases, patients are not surgical candidates based on the stage of disease, medical comorbidities, or patient desires, or they require treatment in addition to surgery. We work in close association with the Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology departments. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are important treatment modalities for gynecologic oncology patients.

What would you like patients to know about your approach to care?

I believe we treat every patient as if she were our own sister or mother. Patients need medical and surgical care, but also emotional and spiritual support throughout treatment, recovery, and in remission or in cases of recurrence.

What inspired you to become a doctor?

I worked at University Hospital, which is on campus at the University of Minnesota, as a phlebotomist. Drawing blood from 6-8 a.m. was a student job, once you were trained, when I was an undergraduate studying Biology. I had always thought I wanted to be a scientist and work in a lab. I found I liked being in the hospital and fell in love with the gynecologic oncology patient population. I knew I wanted to be a Gyn Oncologist before I applied to medical school, which is kind of unusual. I'm so fortunate that all the components fell into place. In my opinion, I have the best job in the world.