Some sad news: Dr. Marnie Rose, a 28-year-old medical resident at Memorial Hermann Hospital who was featured on the show Houston Medical, has lost her battle with brain cancer. She died on Friday afternoon at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center after being admitted on Thursday with pneumonia.
The pediatric resident at Memorial Hermann Hospital made a dramatic first impression, pulling off her wig to reveal to viewers that she was not only a doctor but also a patient.
Throughout the series, she allowed viewers to ride the roller coaster that cancer had made of her life. One week she would be a glowing poster girl of cancer in remission. Another, she would be a shaken example of cancer’s cruel resiliency.
Along the way, she let viewers into her life, publicly exposing her pain at being rejected by boyfriends, displaying her anguish at being the subject of rumors and revealing her kindheartedness as she kept discouraging medical news from her worried parents.
In May, she said she agreed to be on the TV show because “I think Hermann’s a great hospital, and I think we always get overshadowed in the big Medical Center.
“Also, I thought it would be a good chance to let other people see that a positive attitude can help, and that they’re not alone out there.”
Rest in peace, Marnie Rose.
To the parents and brothers of Marnie: I am so sorry for your loss. I, like many others, became hooked on Houston Medical, mainly to keep up with Marnie. She was such an inspiration! Thank you for allowing us in your life and sharing Marnie’s wonderful spirit! God bless you!
I was watching reruns of Huston Medical and wondered how Marnie is, went online I just found out she had passed. I can not begin to tell you how sad I am about that. She was such a wonderful person, and her passing is a great loss to all- her family, friends and medical field. My deepest sympathy to the Rose Family. RIP Marnie. You are an excelent example of what a kind, loving, smart and brave human being is. You’re such an angel…
I too was a fan of HOuston Medical and have been wondering what happened to Marnie. I am so sorry to learn of her passing. I know she touched many lives, and certainly she touched mine. I admired her courage, she fought so hard and was so determined to beat her cancer. My heart goes out to her family.
Sincerely,
Elsa Geis
I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT MARNIE HAS PASSED AWAY BUT SHE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED FOR HER COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO TRY TO BEAT THE ODDS OF HER BRAIN TUMOR. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE MARNIE.
I’ve only caught “Houston Medical” in re-runs, but the story of Dr. Marnie Rose and her courage in the face of adversity came at a time I really need someone to look up to. I’m going through chemotherapy for lupus and each week I looked forward to seeing Marnie stand up to the disease and retain her sense of humor. I was shocked to hear that she had lost her battle. Even just last week, when I was scared to do another treatment, I said to myself “okay, now I’m going to be very Marnie about this.” Lol She was the eiptome of bravery and compassion to her family in my eyes. She will not be forgotten. LeeAnn
I just found out Marnie died by reading this, I have been so touched by her on tv, and didnt even know they were filmed a couple of yrs ago, Im so sad. God bless you Marnie for being such a wonderful person. Joann Lee
Was sorry to learn of Dr. Marnie Rose death one scripture comes to mind for her Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of a saint
Dr. Marnie Rose you truly touched my life as well as the many other viewers who followed your story. Your fighting spirit and the way you handled your illness with such grace will stay with me always. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I have been watching Discovery Health to try to find out what happened to Dr. Rose. I enjoy the program and especially like seeing her episodes. She was very precious in thought and deed. I finally went online and just found out today that she had passed. My sympathy is with her parents and family members.
Like so many others, I was very touched by Marnie. I did not know her, but watched Houston Medical and I tried to find out how she was doing. I found this site today and I’m very sad that she lost her courageous battle. Heaven has another beautiful ange.
I am truly sorry for the loss of your daughter,She inspired me to be a brave soul. I was also truly touched by Marnie’s Dad , The look on his face during the houston medical episodes spoke volumes about how a parent really feels for their child. God bless you and know that Marnie made a difference.
I have thought alot about Marnie since I saw Houston Medical last year. I just found this site and found out what I hoped was not the case, that another brave and courageous soul had lost her fight with a strong contender. I am in the medical field and want to tell her family she touched me deeply. I will always remember Marnie’s compassion even when she herself was struggling to survive, she gave hope and the will to fight to others. God has a brave and beautiful angel at his side that will be sadly missed here on earth. God Bless!!!
I have thought and wondered many times about Dr Marnie Rose over the past several years. I am greatly saddened to learn of her passing and had truly hoped for a different outcome. What a wonderful tribute to her memory to find so many that felt the same way I did. I work in the medical profession and would have been honored to work with and learn more from Dr. Marnie Rose. I bow to you, Mom and Dad, for inspiring your daughter who grew up to inspire the world. After all here we are 2 years later and she is still on my mind. I think that ABC/DISCOVERY should have aired a tribute to her courage and fortitude considering what she gave them and us. Thank you Dr Marnie Rose for keeping us inspired!
I have thought and wondered many times about Dr Marnie Rose over the past several years. I am greatly saddened to learn of her passing and had truly hoped for a different outcome. What a wonderful tribute to her memory to find so many that felt the same way I did. I work in the medical profession and would have been honored to work with and learn more from Dr. Marnie Rose. I bow to you, Mom and Dad, for inspiring your daughter who grew up to inspire the world. After all here we are 2 years later and she is still on my mind. I think that ABC/DISCOVERY should have aired a tribute to her courage and fortitude considering what she gave them and us. Thank you Dr Marnie Rose for keeping us inspired!
I was wondering what had happened to this wonderful young doctor. I’m saddened by what I found out…but that girl sure put up a good fight. She must have come from really good stock!Tonight her entire family will be in my prayers.
I was wondering what ever happened to Dr.Marnie Rose the woman who truly impress me with her positive and courageous personality, I am deeply saddened to learn of her passing, I was wishing there would be a different outcome, but I believe that the Lord had better plans for her.RIP
I recently saw a REALITY marathon featuring Houston Medical. This was my first viewing and introduction to Dr. Marnie Rose. How sorry I am to learn of her passing, but such an inspirational life will always be with us.
I have a love for all the medical TV shows that are now shown almost every week in some fashion or another. But only one person from all these shows has ever really touched my heart. After the first time all 6 episodes aired, I couldn’t help but wonder what ever happened to that young doctor who fought so selfless. I watched each episode, knowing all the while that surely with all the medical advancements Dr. Rose would be cured. Its only been just recently that I just had to know. After doing a brief search on the internet, I discovered she had died shortly after the show ended. I almost wish I had never found this out. If I hadn’t check, there would still be the chance that she had fully recovered and was now a very passionate Dr. working to cure brain tumors. On the other hand, I am very glad to see all the good that has come from the passing and rememberance of this beautiful person. I will always carry a memory of Marnie for she has touched me in such a way that few strangers do. God bless Dr. Marnie Rose.
Like many of the comments posted here, I too admired the courage of both cancer patients profiled in the HOUSTON MEDICAL series and I am also saddened to learn of the loss of Dr. Rose.
Does anyone know the current status of Mary Sharkey? A fall 2002 Houston Press article indicated she was in remission.
Mary Sharkey is cancer free and back to her normal life. See http://www.mdanderson.org for the full story.
I love to watch medical shows and I had seen her show a few years ago “Houston Medical”. She really touched our family as we saw a young brave woman fight cancer. Today the show was on again and since then my mother had been diagnosed and fought her way through cancer. I wanted to email her to thank her for opening my eyes to cancer and its personal battle. I was shocked to hear she passed away and I will pray for her loving family. Please remember how many lives she touched not just at the hospital but through her example. I will never forget her and all she has done for others. God bless her and her family.
I have never forgotten Dr. Marnie Rose from Houston Medical.
As the comments on this website evidence, her spirit, intelligence, warmth, sensitivity, and particularly her courage were memorable. Her impact on the world goes far beyond her tragically brief span and her memory is a blessing to all of us.
I just finished watch abc’s Grey’s anatomy tonight. and somehow I remembered this old show Houston medical, and I started to wonder about the fate of Dr. Rose. I wonder if she survived of her cancer. So I did a little search, and found this one. I am surprised that people still remember her after four years later.
I also wonder why abc did not do a follow up, then I read about this story on another site.
http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2002-09-05/news/feature_1.html
Although it is interesting to watch real life dramas, sometimes we just forgot about the pain of the patients that are suffering. Maybe that is the reason abc was not able to continue to make another similar reality show. Sometimes, entertainment and privacy just don’t match.