A journey back home for general surgeon Dr. Jessica Marshall

For Dr. Jessica Marshall, returning to practice medicine in her hometown is a personal homecoming.

Born in Daytona Beach and raised in Ormond Beach, Marshall is a true local. A 2004 graduate of Father Lopez Catholic High School, her connection to the area runs deep.

Now, she brings her surgical expertise to AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway as Flagler County’s only female general surgeon.

“I’m a fifth-generation physician; my father was a surgeon, so medicine was in my blood,” Marshall said. “Even as a child, I loved biology, but I didn’t decide to pursue medicine until high school. I knew the kind of hard work and dedication it would take, and I wasn’t sure I wanted that kind of life. But becoming a doctor is truly a calling and it’s something you feel pulled toward.”

Her father’s career as a general surgeon gave her an early glimpse into the field, and she found herself captivated.

“I loved everything about it. In surgery, you can change someone’s world overnight,” she said. “It’s also a team sport. Everyone works together toward the same goal. You get to lead, inspire others, and yes, even listen to fun music while you work together in the operating room.”

Marshall received an undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa and attended medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Bradenton, Florida campus.

After years of education and training, Marshall is now back in the community that helped shape her.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to serve the community that helped raise me,” she said. “It’s funny; sometimes it feels like I never left. Though the area has grown, I still know every back road and where to get the best crab legs or chicken wings (Houligan’s, of course).”

Joining AdventHealth felt like a natural step for Marshall, who had seen the company’s growth in the area over the years.

“When an old friend reached out about this opportunity, it felt right,” said Marshall. “AdventHealth is doing incredible things, expanding facilities, bringing in talented physicians, and investing in technology. It’s an exciting time to be part of this medical community.”

Marshall specializes in robotic, and minimally invasive surgery, offering innovative techniques for surgeries such as hernia repairs, breast surgeries, colon surgeries, and gallbladder surgeries.

Her work brings challenges, but is also personally fulfilling.

“There’s nothing better than hearing a patient say their neighbor or favorite doctor recommended me or seeing someone I operated on thriving,” she said. “That’s what makes all the hard days worth it.”

Her roots in the community often intersect with her work.

“I’ll look at a patient’s chart and realize I know their parents or family,” she said. “Neighbors stop me to ask about the hospital or a new doctor, and it feels good to be a source of information and help.”

She also hopes her work inspires others to follow their dreams in health care.

“We need all kinds of people in health care, including secretaries, techs, phlebotomists, nurses, doctors, you name it. If you have the desire, you can make it happen,” said Marshall. “There’s nothing like the satisfaction of doing something that makes a real difference in people’s lives; it is unmatched.”

For Marshall, the path home has been both personal and professional.

“I love what I do and I love where I’m doing it,” she reflected. “I hope my daughter grows up to be proud of her mom and sees what’s possible when you follow your passion.”