Mariel McDonald

Mariel McDonald, Physician Assistant

Mariel was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she spent the first two decades of her life as a competitive figure skater. It was her figure skating background that influenced her decision to pursue education in sports medicine. She began her post-secondary education with a bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from Boston University. Upon graduating from BU, she migrated to the southwest for the master's program in Athletic Training at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. After clinically practicing as an athletic trainer and dabbling in research for a few years, she then pursued a degree in Physician Assistant studies at A.T. Still University. Her PA career began in family medicine where she evaluated and treated a variety of patient populations. More recently, she felt called to be a greater advocate for women's health in obstetrics and gynecology. She is also completing her training in the Sympto-Thermal Method of Natural Family Planning.

Mariel and her husband, Ben, are passionate about contributing to the pro-life ministry. They and their daughter Leona, are parishioners at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.