Rex Marco

DOCTOR AS PATIENT World-renowned spine surgeon Rex Marco, paralyzed in a mountain-biking accident, navigates a different world now. “Life has a plan for me,” he says. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

Surgeons in Kenya benefited from Dr. Rex Marco’s expertise during his mission trip there a few years ago. Here, they look over a patient’s films. 

Friends and colleagues packed a fundraiser in February to show support for the doctor. Organizer Yvonne Spolane is all smiles with Marco. 

Rex Marco and fellow spine surgeon Chip Davis operate in Guatemala during a volunteer mission trip with the Christian non-profit group, Faith In Practice. (Photo: Faith In Practice)

Marco (right), interpreter Gilberto “Gil” Velazquez and physical therapist Ashley Trautschold tend to a patient in Guatemala. (Photo: Faith In Practice)

Rhonda Johnson, nine years cancer-free, credits the surgeon with saving her life by amputating her leg. He surprised her by wearing red scrubs for the operation, the hue she chose as her “positive energy color.” He wore a red tie for all her office visits. (Photo: Roland Johnson)