Born in Florence, South Carolina, Dr. Mark Stokes has lived a life surrounded by ophthalmologists with generations of family members and mentors in the specialty.

He is an avid sailor and fisherman, and an auto racing enthusiast. Dr. Mark Stokes and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Jennifer and Chandler. Dr. Stokes has been a part of the McLeod Medical Staff for nearly a decade.

Dr. Stokes' career decisions have been influenced by his family's tradition. "My grandfather, Dr. Howard Stokes; my father, Dr. Hunter Stokes, Sr.; and uncles: Dr. J. Stokes and Dr. Parker Stokes, certainly had an impact on my decision to practice ophthalmology."

This unique family history equips Dr. Mark Stokes with a more personal knowledge of how ophthalmology has advanced, especially in the Pee Dee region. "I enjoy the mix of primary care and surgery that enables me to provide to patients of the Pee Dee area," Dr. Stokes says.

In addition to general ophthalmology, Dr. Stokes specializes in pediatric ophthalmology. "I have the pleasure of preventing the loss of vision and restoring the gift of sight to children." In addition to pediatrics, Dr. Stokes also specializes in plastic and cosmetic ophthalmology.

Dr. Stokes says, "The McLeod Ambulatory Surgery Center is an excellent facility to perform surgery while convenient for both surgeons and patients. I find the time efficiency of the center attractive." Dr. Stokes said he chose the field of ophthalmology in an effort to "continue the tradition started decades ago by my family in providing excellent eye care to the Pee Dee."