About Mark

Mark grew up in a small town on the border between New Brunswick and Maine. His father was a family doctor and his mother was a Public Health Nurse. Having 12 kids to feed and keep out of mischief, his dad, who came from a farming background, bought a farm outside of town. Mark understood early, and in a very real way, just where the food on our tables comes from and just how hard it is to farm. He also learned valuable lessons about teamwork, cooperation, getting along with others, and just getting the job done in spite of obstacles. He made many visits to his grandmother and uncles in Boston, MA where he learned the value and the meaning of the American struggle for freedom. 

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Mark's life and career have been based on these early principles, and he feels that he can bring these same values to representing the people of Nebraska. Congress could sure use some of this right now!  

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Although his dad died when he was 19, Mark persisted determinedly with his dream of pursuing a medical and scientific career. He studied molecular biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and then attended Medical School in Nova Scotia, followed by Ophthalmology residency at the University of Western Ontario. He completed his training by doing a fellowship in Corneal Transplantation in Ann Arbor, MI. 

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He practiced Ophthalmology in Saint John, NB, where he established the first Eye Bank in Eastern Canada and became a nationally recognized cornea and cataract surgeon as well as pioneering the new technique of Lasik Refractive Surgery.  He was recruited to work in Sioux City, IA, and Omaha, NE, moving with his family to the area in 1997. 

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After working with Jones Eye Clinic, Mark struck out on his own, establishing Nebraska Laser Eye Associates in 2001. He set up his own surgery center and a wide referral network, including patients from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. Over 25,000 patients and their referring doctors in this area have trusted him to do their eye surgery. Throughout his career, he has had an interest in the basic science involved in Refractive Surgery and has presented his findings and results extensively at national and international meetings. 

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​Mark retired from practice in 2020 and enjoys hiking, travelling and visiting his extensive family. He is married to Elizabeth, a retired family doc, has two kids who are software engineers and one grandson who loves playing hockey!