Her Story
About Marla
Marla Mach is a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced Practice Provider leader dedicated to improving healthcare through evidence-based practice, innovation, and compassionate patient care. She currently serves as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for the GI Hepatology and Endoscopy Service Line at UC San Diego Health, where she supports clinical teams, advances quality improvement initiatives, and develops care processes that improve outcomes across the patient journey—from outpatient referrals through procedures and follow-up care. With more than eight years of nursing experience, Marla has built a reputation for bridging the gap between frontline care and system-level improvement by partnering with nurses, physicians, and operational leaders to enhance patient safety, staff education, and clinical excellence.
Throughout her career, Marla has demonstrated a commitment to using data, technology, and collaboration to solve complex healthcare challenges. Prior to her current role, she served as a Clinical Nurse Specialist supporting Surgical Oncology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where she led initiatives focused on improving nursing practice and patient outcomes. Among her accomplishments was helping implement an artificial intelligence process for tracheostomy care that significantly reduced airway emergency response times. Recognized for her contributions to quality and safety, Marla was named an APP of the Quarter across the MedStar Health System and has been recognized as a high-impact presenter through the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. She holds an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is an active member of professional organizations including the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, its state affiliates, and the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses.
Marla’s leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that healthcare excellence requires both scientific rigor and human connection. She credits strong mentors, curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to patient advocacy as the foundations of her success. Passionate about developing the next generation of healthcare leaders, she encourages nurses to pursue opportunities before they feel completely ready, seek mentorship, advocate for themselves, and recognize the value of their perspectives. Through her work in clinical leadership, education, and innovation, Marla continues to advance the role of the Clinical Nurse Specialist while helping create safer, more effective healthcare systems where patients remain at the center of every decision.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marla
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is the importance of embracing mentorship and remaining open to learning from those around me. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to learn from many incredible mentors, including nursing professors, clinical preceptors, experienced colleagues, and healthcare leaders who have each shaped different aspects of my professional growth.
Their guidance has helped me develop my clinical expertise, leadership abilities, confidence, and commitment to lifelong learning. I believe mentorship is one of the most valuable tools for professional development, and I strive to provide that same support and encouragement to others throughout their careers.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering healthcare is not to wait until they feel completely prepared before pursuing new opportunities. Growth often happens when we step outside our comfort zones, accept challenges, and learn through experience.
I encourage women to seek mentors, advocate for themselves, continue expanding their knowledge, and trust in their abilities. Confidence is built through action, not through waiting for perfection. Most importantly, I believe we should always keep patient care at the center of every decision and allow our passion for helping others to guide our careers.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Healthcare continues to evolve rapidly, creating both challenges and exciting opportunities. Professionals today must adapt to advances in technology, emerging research, changing regulations, and increasingly complex patient needs. Successfully navigating these changes requires flexibility, collaboration, and a strong commitment to evidence-based practice.
I believe one of the greatest opportunities in healthcare is the ability to combine clinical expertise with innovation. Technologies such as artificial intelligence have the potential to improve patient safety, enhance efficiency, and support better outcomes when thoughtfully integrated into practice.
I also believe staying engaged with professional organizations, current research, and continued education allows clinicians to advance their careers while contributing to the continued growth and improvement of the nursing profession.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide both my professional and personal life are compassion, integrity, continuous learning, collaboration, and excellence. In healthcare, I believe patient care must always remain the highest priority, and as leaders, we have a responsibility to continually seek ways to improve safety, quality, and outcomes.
I value creating environments where healthcare professionals feel supported, empowered, and encouraged to grow. Through teamwork, mentorship, and collaboration, we can strengthen our profession and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the patients and communities we serve.
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