A Southern Son Gets His Second Chance at Life

5-year anniversaries are often celebrated, but when it’s the anniversary of a second chance at life, it’s exceedingly special. Marcus McGrew has been engaged in the 5-year anniversary of his heart/kidney two-organ transplant this year with a spirit of gratitude and a focus on the future for many anniversaries to come.

Marcus is a native southerner, born in Mississippi and raised in Alabama. While he’s found great success in the Midwest and on the west coast, it’s clear he still loves and embraces his southern roots. “I had 36 first cousins living nearby. Mom is the 2nd oldest of seven. My humble beginnings in Alabama prepared me to handle whatever comes my way. My parents instilled a very strong work ethic, and I truly believe that all things are possible. My family has always been a source of inspiration and support, over the years and even now.”

After obtaining a degree in finance from the University of Southern Alabama, Marcus was off to Detroit, taking on roles at Wayne County Community College District, earning his MBA from Michigan State, and then moving on to the Kresge Foundation where he continued his career, founding a special initiative supporting young men of color in improving their life trajectory.

It was five years after his arrival in Detroit when Marcus’ primary care doctor found polycystic kidney disease and treated it medically while watching for any reduction in kidney function. While it was clear that someday Marcus would need a kidney transplant, he was told by another hospital to wait.

It was on a workday at the Kresge Foundation that Marcus met Nancy Schlichting, former President and CEO of Henry Ford Health. It was clear he wasn’t feeling well, and she suggested he connect with the Henry Ford team to diagnose and manage his health challenges. That visit revealed the seriousness of his polycystic kidney disease diagnosis. The emergency department physician who first took on his care was a little shocked, “I’ve never seen kidneys this large!” Polycystic kidney disease increases the mass of the kidney, and at their worst, his weighed 17 pounds!

A few years later, Marcus was traveling back to Detroit from a final round of job interviews in Minneapolis, when he felt ill upon landing at Detroit Wayne County Airport. He stopped twice to catch his breath on the walk from the terminal to the parking deck, called his wife to share he wasn’t feeling well, and headed to Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. 

There he learned not only that his polycystic kidney disease was worsening, but he was also suffering from congestive heart failure. Soon Marcus was equipped with a defibrillator, began receiving dialysis four times a week and his heart was failing to the point he was eventually hospitalized until a heart transplant was available. Six weeks later, he received that heart transplant with Daizo Tanaka, M.D., along with a kidney transplant with Shunji Nagai, M.D.

Marcus’ hospitalization happened at the height of the pandemic. Visitors were few and rare, but his Henry Ford care team was present, and many memorable connections were made. “My transplant cardiologist was Celeste Williams, MD, and my coordinator was Nancy Amezcua. They shared all the resources, everything I needed… Early on I felt like getting well was my full-time job… With all the appointments, lab work, everything… She was a phenomenal transplant coordinator for me.” Meanwhile, Drs. Selektor, Hannawi, Tita, Tanaka, Cowger… And my nurses, like Emma, Brandon, Mikey, Jade, Bridgett, and the two Omars amongst a number of others. I got to know them really well!”

Marcus describes himself as a “man of faith, “and credits Pastor Charles H. Ellis and his church family at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple with supporting him through this journey. Because of the reach of Pastor Ellis’ ministry, Marcus reminisces, “The congregation at Greater Grace Temple and people across the world were aware of my journey, prayed fervently for my recovery, and it worked out exceptionally well.”

With a stellar recovery and cardiac rehabilitation in the rear view, Marcus was finally able to keep a promise to visit his mother in Alabama. Driving home across America, as he had done many times before, his family and their community were ready, “The celebration included cousins, extended family and high school friends… Truly a full-circle moment for a southern son with another chance at life.”

Asked if he had anything else to share, Marcus replied, “To my care team… Where would I be without you? I’m grateful for your humanity. You saw me as a person AND a patient. I’m grateful for your expertise, and for how you expressed your love for me. I felt totally seen, heard and valued throughout my stay and many visits. I want to pay that forward in some meaningful way. I am glad you all took the oath to practice medicine, and I’m alive because you did!”

Summing up the journey, Marcus makes it clear, “I am one of the miracles that happened at Henry Ford Hospital.”