Carol Morcos, MD, an esteemed and integral OB/GYN department member, will retire on July 2, 2024. Dr. Morcos’s departure marks the end of an era filled with dedication, compassion, and countless memorable moments.
Dr. Morcos cherishes the memories she has made with the women she has had the honor to care for. As an OB/GYN, she has been privileged to witness women grow from young girls into strong women, assisting them through various life challenges, including partnerships, divorces, childbirth, reproductive choices, debilitating periods, menopause, and cancer. Her dedication and care have left a lasting impact on many lives.
One of the greatest lessons Dr. Morcos learned is the art of compartmentalizing. She emphasizes the importance of leaving the day’s stress at the door, separating what happens in one patient’s room and leaving it at the door when walking into the next patient’s room, and doing the same when going home to family. The day’s stress must be set aside to prioritize professional responsibilities and personal life. Over the past four years, being in a leadership role in the medical field has been incredibly difficult, but Dr. Morcos takes pride in being on the Board and joining Optum.
Dr. Morcos offers invaluable advice to the newest medical community members: “There will always be good days and bad days. As an Obstetrician and Surgeon, there will be times when you can do no wrong, and everything falls into place. This is the high! There will also be times when things do not go well with patients, and you will question your competency, priorities, and knowledge base. These are the lows. The first time a low occurs, it is devastating. Take this low and grow from it because the high will return. Just remember to do your best every day. Your patients will love you for it.”
Dr. Morcos has been a calming presence in surgery, a treasure trove of experience and knowledge for patients with complex problems, and the voice of reason and perspective for our OB/GYN team. A cherished memory the OB/GYN providers hold onto revolves around their group text, which can become slightly spicy and heated, as expected. “Even while on vacation, Dr. Morcos will chime in mid-text chain with a beautiful sunset photo she was watching. These moments always broke the spice and cracked us up, and we hope she continues to stay in the group text just for these moments,” remarks one of the department’s physicians.
Dr. Morcos deeply values her time at The Corvallis Clinic, especially being part of a multi-specialty clinic. She emphasizes the importance of talking to colleagues, being available for questions, and forming friendships outside work. These relationships have been a cornerstone of her professional and personal life. She fondly remembers the camaraderie, including get-togethers like barbecues, scotch tastings, football parties, and pig roasts, which helped form lasting bonds. Even though some friends have moved away, the connections made here will always be cherished.
As Dr. Morcos looks forward to her next chapter, she is excited about the simple joys of sleeping through the entire night and eating meals at regular times. She humorously recounts her last call nights, where she started work at 7:30 am, saw patients all day, ran to labor and delivery multiple times, and finally sat down to eat lunch at 10:30 pm while waiting for surgery to start. Despite the mental and physical exhaustion, she looks back on these experiences with a sense of fulfillment and growth.
The Corvallis Clinic is a comprehensive multi-specialty organization serving Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties. It offers over 100 board-certified physicians and advanced clinical professionals in 27 specialties at 10 locations. As one of the largest employers in the area, The Corvallis Clinic has more than 600 employees.
