Margaret Tresler, M.P.H.

Margaret Tresler is vibrant proof that medicine can play a role in miracles!  Diagnosed with Lupus at the age of twelve, Margaret has lived through years of chronic illness with an amazing spirit of joy and hope.  She has had four kidney transplants and is a huge proponent of organ donation.  Also along her life’s journey she has survived dialysis for a total of seven years, has had back, gall bladder, cataract, and abdominal surgeries, and takes a vast array of immunosuppressive medications to keep her kidney from rejecting.  Despite these physical challenges, Margaret would much rather focus on HEALTH than on chronic illness.  Her favorite definition of the word ‘health’ comes from the World Health Organization Constitution: “a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Margaret obtained her Master’s degree in Health Behavior from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health because she has a strong desire to utilize her own past experiences and her education to help other people experience HEALTH rather than focusing on chronic illness.  She strongly believes that people should utilize the field of medicine when necessary, including seeking appropriate pharmacological assistance for mental and social health issues such as depression.  She also believes that roles of social, mental, and spiritual health are vastly underestimated by the general field of medicine.  She believes that our health system and churches need a much better referral system to get clients connected with community resources where they can explore and expand their own social, mental and spiritual well-being.

This is not to say that Margaret won’t get out her own bottle of tears to cry with you when it’s appropriate.  Having any type of physical problems can be incredibly difficult, not only on the person with the problem, but on the entire care support network.  It is healthy to express the grief of physical loss.  The idea that God himself holds her own personal ‘tear bottle’ is one of her favorite pictures of God’s loving care.

Raised in a very traditional home, Margaret and her family have been looking to the church for prayer support her entire life.  Her grandfather was a ‘country preacher’ and Margaret’s parents brought a love of prayer and scripture into their home.   As a child, Margaret was an ‘Air Force brat, ’ which gave her the luxury of experiencing not only different cultures, but different religious beliefs as well.  These experiences have given Margaret a well-rounded view of the church and spirituality.   There is no doubt that her own health experiences are part of what led her to believe in the amazing power of prayer!  Margaret currently serves on the Grace Ministries intercessory prayer team where the group prays for GM clients with needs of all types.

Ultimately, Margaret believes that you have to have faith that God is in control.  You have to hold onto the fact that your quality of life is not limited by your physical limitations. You have to fully love and serve other people. You have to learn to ask for and to accept help from your community.

In her spare time, Margaret is always spoiling her little white fluffy dog, Jazz.  Jazz and Margaret get to enjoy all of the girly-girlness of pink sparkly dog things (bowls, collars, etc)!   If there is a new action or scifi movie, Margaret is there on opening night.  If there is free live music (OK, it doesn’t always have to be free) you will find Margaret somewhere she can hear and do a little dance. And if there is any reason to celebrate anything, Margaret’s gift of hospitality is in full swing as she is inviting everyone within hearing distance to join the party.