MARC KARL BINDER 

Born: October 29, 1947 Died: April 21, 2024 

Surrounded by his loving family and friends, Marc Karl Binder peacefully departed after a prolonged and valiant struggle against progressive multiple sclerosis. Born to Mary and Daniel Binder in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he grew up with roots tracing back to Ukraine through both sets of grandparents. His early fascination with medicine manifested as he volunteered as a hospital aide at Albert Einstein Medical Center during his teen years. Here, he shadowed and absorbed the intricacies of patient care from the nursing staff. Graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1965, Marc pursued a B.S. in Pre-Medicine at Pennsylvania State University, graduating with a B.S. in Pre-Medicine. His journey continued with an M.D. from George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. During summer breaks, he engaged in the Commissioned Officer Student Training Extern Program of the US Public Health Services, and contributed to a research project at the National Institutes of Health’s Division of Biologics Standards. Additionally, he labored in both the bacteriology and serology laboratory divisions of the D.C. Public Health Department. Post his medical school graduation in 1972, Marc completed a three year residency in internal medicine at Medstar Health/Georgetown Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Influenced by the remarkable Chief of the Gastroenterology Division, and inspired by his family history, he chose to specialize in digestive diseases. Subsequently, he secured a coveted two-year fellowship in gastroenterology at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California spanning from 1975-1977. Marc dedicated himself to the practice of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine at the Eugene Clinic and Hospital in Eugene, Oregon spanning from 1977 to 1989. Throughout this period, he held several key roles, including Chief of Staff, Chair of Quality Assurance, Medical Director of the Clinic’s HMO, and Medical Director of the eating disorders program. Additionally, Marc served as a resource physician, providing support for fellow health providers dealing with personal or professional difficulties. After a year in private practice, Marc joined the Gastroenterology Division of Kaiser Permanente in Portland, Oregon in 1990. In addition to patient care, he supervised the hospital nutritional support team, and imparted knowledge to Gastroenterology Fellows, earning him an appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health Sciences University. In 1993, Marc received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, yet he continued practicing until 1996 when escalating disability compelled his retirement. He returned to his Kaiser Permanente gastroenterology practice from 2007 to 2010, but further complications led to retirement from active practice. Undeterred, he continued to volunteer and practice independently with an Emeritus Medical License, maintaining this commitment until his final days. Marc’s philosophy as a physician centered around academic excellence, compassion, kindness, and empathy. He believed in understanding the person with a disease as much as treating the disease itself. For Marc, medical practice was a privilege and a calling, transcending a mere profession. He had a particular interest in advocating for patients who had previously been dismissed, or told that their pain must be exaggerated because it was related to stress. Whether organic or functional, Marc believed that all pain was real and significant, deserving detailed evaluation, validation, and continued care. In his younger years, Marc found joy in playing classical piano, exploring national and international destinations, gardening, and engaging in long-distance running. He achieved several halfmarathons, completed the Avenue of the Giants Marathon, and participated in the 1989 World Masters Athletics Championship. This track and field competition is held every two years at prominent world athletic venues. In 1989, the event was held in Eugene, Oregon, hosting almost 5,000 athletes from 58 countries. In 1998 Marc found the love of his life in Marcy, and they remained married until his passing. He cherished his daughter Jessica from a prior marriage, as well as his two stepsons Max and Alex. Marcy demonstrated unwavering love and courage during Marc’s challenging last ten years, especially in his final six months under hospice care. Enormous gratitude extends to Marc’s special friends, family, physicians, Kaiser Permanente, the Kaiser Palliative Care Team, End of Life Choices of Oregon, Compassion & Choices, and Brighton and Tenderly Hospices. Marc is survived by his wife Marcy, daughter Jessica and son-inlaw Ryan, stepsons Max and Alex, sister Harriet and brother-inlaw Alan, their children and grandchildren, brother Brian(Hon.), and the many wonderful friends and family present throughout his life. No services are planned.