La Salle Presents Honorary Degree
to Marita Green Lind, M.D.

An honorary degree was presented to Marita Lind, M.D., ’88, sponsored by alumnus and Board of Trustee member, John Daly, M.D., ’69.

Marita Green Lind, M.D., will never forget her freshman orientation at La Salle University more than 20 years ago. While standing in line to buy lunch, she spilled her tray on Brother Gerry Molyneaux, a professor of communication. While Br. Gerry gently teased her, Lind learned her first important lesson in college that day from him—not to take herself too seriously. 

“That was probably a life-saving lesson,” said Lind. “It has given me the freedom to explore my career and to be open to many new experiences. In some basic way, I owe Br. Gerry thanks for helping shape my career.”  

As a pediatrician dealing specifically with child abuse cases, Lind definitely believes her career path has been shaped by her time as a La Salle student and by Christian Brothers. In recognition of her contributions to her field and to the Lasallian mission, Lind was presented with an honorary doctoral degree during La Salle’s recent Honors Convocation ceremony. 

Even as a college student, reaching out and helping people came naturally to Lind, and she spent much of her time involved in campus activities and volunteering with various organizations, including the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County. 

“I had no understanding of domestic abuse. I heard stories that I had been protected from during my idyllic childhood,” said Lind. “I was initially just looking for a summer internship, but I ended up volunteering there for three years. I learned how to ask parents and children about things they tried to keep private. It was remarkably difficult but also very rewarding.” 

Even as a young girl, Lind knew she wanted to be a pediatrician. However, when she reached her final year at La Salle and graduation loomed upon her, she was not sure if she wanted to go to medical school. She turned to her father, who was a physician, for help. “He said, ‘you will be good at whatever you decide to do, but don’t go to medical school unless you are willing to wake up at three o’clock in the morning for the rest of your life when a patient needs you,’ ” said Lind. “It was not exactly the advice I expected, and it left me to ponder how much I was willing to dedicate my life to the service of others.” 

With the Lasallian mission entrenched in her, and after much thought and prayer, Lind decided she was willing to wake up in the middle of the night if her patients needed her. After La Salle, she enrolled at Temple University Medical School, where she met her husband, Tom. After completing her internship and residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., Lind and her husband moved to southern Delaware to work in a rural practice. “We saw a lot of everything, and it was hectic, but I also learned a great deal,” said Lind. 

In 2001, Lind received a call from Martin Finkel, D.O., FAAP, founder and director of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey CARES (Child Abuse Research Education and Service) Institute in Stratford, N.J. Finkel offered Lind a job as a pediatrician dealing with child abuse victims at the Institute. Lind turned him down. “I was living in Delaware County where I grew up; I was close to my family, and I didn’t want to leave my job at Crozer Medical Center,” she explains. Finkel called again, and Lind politely said no. Finally, the third time Finkel called her, she said yes.  

“I already dealt with child abuse victims at the hospital, but at the CARES Institute, I’d be dealing with them exclusively, said Lind. “It was clear to me that the children who experienced abuse and neglect needed the best care possible from their physicians. I decided to dedicate my career to that care.”

Lind admits that her job is not easy. “While three million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States, experts estimate that the actual number of abuse and neglect cases is actually three times greater than reported,” said Lind. 

She is often asked how tough it is to see children hurt or suffering every day. “I often think back to my orientation at La Salle, and meeting Br. Gerry. I feel like I was nurtured by the Christian Brothers. Also, I think coming from a great family and having a normal upbringing allows me to do this work,” said Lind. “Believe me, I wish no one had to do the work that I do.” 

While on the job, Lind often finds herself meeting other La Salle alumni. “I frequently run into social workers, nurses, law enforcement officers, and lawyers who are La Salle alumni dealing with child abuse victims,” said Lind. “I think it speaks volumes about La Salle University and the students it prepares.” 

At the Honors Convocation, John Daly, M.D., Dean of Temple University’s School of Medicine, a La Salle alumnus and Board of Trustees member, presented Lind with her honorary degree. “Marita is a wonderful example of La Salle University, engraining in its students a wonderful commitment to give back to their community,” said Daly. “In her commitment at the CARES Institute, she embodies the true Lasallian spirit.”