Marcia Baker joined Mended Hearts in January 2010 as Director of Field Services, following a 28-year career at American Heart Association in research administration and program director positions. In November 2016, after seven years in field services, Marcia accepted the role, Corporate Development & Program Director. She writes grants, creates programs and maintains corporate and individual relationships. She currently oversees programs including AFib/stroke, cholesterol & diabetes, heart failure, and valve/TAVR patient engagement.
Marcia has been in the heart world for 30+ years having a family history of heart disease and stroke. For two generations, the men had heart attacks and the women had strokes. Marcia and her sister inherited their mother's high cholesterol. Her brother broke the gender pattern and survived a stroke in 2015 after a episode of AFib.
Marcia received her M.S. in Health Education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois and B.S. in Music Education from University of Missouri, Columbia. Marcia spends her leisure time sailing and singing with her nonprofit women’s ensemble. She recently received her USCG Master Captain’s license and teaches sailing.