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Mark Vincent Sofonio, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Section Chief, Dept. of Plastic Surgery, Eisenhower Medical Center
“Voted one of the Regions ‘Top Doctors’ for Four Consecutive Years”
— Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.
 - Dr Mark Vincent Sofonio M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Mark Vincent Sofonio’s goal is to be the best
provider of reconstructive and plastic surgery in the
Coachella Valley. But he believes just as strongly in
being a caring and philanthropic citizen.
Throughout his successful
career, he has always found time
to help those less fortunate
men, women, and children who
could not afford needed care.
There was the case of a 12-year old
boy whose face was horribly
disfigured in a vicious dog attack.
When the young baseball player
tried to break up a fight between
his dog and another dog, the dogs
attacked and destroyed most of
the boy’s right cheek. The psychological
ramifications of losing half
your face can be very severe for a
child, and since the family could
not afford the $20,000 procedure,
Dr. Sofonio treated the boy at no
cost. Needless to say, the procedure
changed the course of the
boy’s life. In another case, a woman
was told by her doctor that,
due to health problems, she needed to lose a huge amount of
weight. She lost over 150 pounds with gastric bypass surgery,
but was left with a large amount of loose, hanging skin. Since
she could not afford the procedures to remove the skin,
Dr. Sofonio donated his time and skill at no charge. For a
number of years, Dr. Sofonio has traveled to Mexico, donating
his time and expertise to disadvantaged patients who could
not afford the expensive procedures
and treatments that would restore
severe disfigurements and enhance
their self-esteem.
Dr. Sofonio has recently offered
his services to an organization called
Scars to Freedom, whose goal is to
provide free scar treatment to all
military veterans in gratitude for their
sacrifice and service for our country.
After returning home from a tour of
duty, a soldier is often left with a
permanent physical reminder of
a harrowing wartime experience.
Through Scars to Freedom,
Dr. Sofonio repairs a soldier’s scars
absolutely free. “We owe America’s
fighting men and women such a debt
of gratitude,” Dr. Sofonio says, “that
I am proud to offer my services in
removing the scars that cause both
physical and emotional pain.”
Through Scars to Freedom, Dr. Sofonio repairs a soldier’s scars absolutely free. “We owe America’s fighting men and women such a debt of gratitude,” Dr. Sofonio says, “that I am proud to offer my services in removing the scars that cause both physical and emotional pain.”
Dr. Sofonio also helps many other desert organizations
by contributing his time, his expertise, and/or his financial
support to a wide range of local charities. These include the
American Heart Association, Animal Samaritans, Boy Scouts of
America, Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony, City of Hope Cancer
Center, Desert AIDS Project, Gilda’s Club, Palm Springs Youth
Charities, and United Way to name a few. He also conducts
several yearly seminars at no charge to educate residents
of the Coachella Valley on the latest trends in cosmetic and
reconstructive surgery.
 - Mrs. Caroline Sofonio, Dr. Mark Sofonio, and Vincent Sofonio
A graduate of Palm Springs High School, Dr. Sofonio
successfully completed the accelerated U.C.R. /U.C.L.A.
combined undergraduate/medical school program with magna
cum laude honors. Following graduation from U.C.L.A. Medical
School, he served an internship and general surgery residency
at the University of Hawaii. He then completed his plastic
surgery residency training at the Medical College of Ohio.
Dr. Sofonio has been certified twice by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery. He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and completed
several post-residency fellowships. He ran a Burn Unit/Wound
Care Center at the Medical College of New York. He also received extra
cosmetic surgery training from some of the world’s foremost aesthetic
surgeons at the Connell Aesthetic Surgery Institute.
Dr. Sofonio has been named one of the top 70 doctors in Palm
Springs Life magazine for four years in a row. Of the 75,000 cosmetic
surgeons practicing in the United States, Dr. Sofonio is one of only
6,000 who are board certified by the American Board of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery. He has published and lectured extensively in
the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He is a member of
numerous professional organizations, including American Society of
Plastic Surgeons, The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery,
American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Burn Association,
AMA, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Laser Medicine
and Surgery, and The American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons. He is currently the section chief of plastic surgery at Eisenhower Medical
Center in Rancho Mirage.
Dr. Sofonio has a special interest and extensive experience in
performing aesthetic surgery. He specializes in all forms of body
contouring and facial rejuvenation surgery, including the latest
techniques in laser surgery and hair restoration. For added safety and
privacy, Dr. Sofonio utilizes his own on-site, state-of-the-art surgical
center, approved by the State of California Institute for Medical Quality.
He always requires the use of board-certified M.D. anesthesiologists
for all anesthetic-related surgery.
Dr. Sofonio was honored in 2008 with the 306th star on the Palm
Springs Walk of Stars. “We are proud to honor Dr. Mark V. Sofonio
with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars,” said Robert Alexander,
president of the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, who presided over the
event. The star is a lasting tribute to Dr. Sofonio’s exemplary career
as well as his tireless efforts on behalf of his fellow man.
 - Eileen Shaw, Heather Bigger, Cindy McElwain, Kyle James, Chelsea Floyd, Lora Galipo, Dr. Mark Sofonio, Vincent Sofonio, Caroline Sofonio, Sheila Celaya, Yolanda Garcia, Sherry Turner, Janice Seiden, Candance Lee
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Appearing in Palm Springs Life July 2009
