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Dr. Sofonio Honored on Palm Springs Walk of Stars

Mark V. Sofonio and humanitarian was honored with the 306th star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.The star was unveiled at 262 Palm Canyon Drive. Robert Alexander, president of the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, presided over the event. The public and media were invited to attend.

A graduate of Palm Springs High School, Dr. Mark Vincent Sofonio was raised right here in our beautiful desert community where he lives with his wife Caroline, and their son, Vincent Lorenzo.

Dr. Sofonio is a giving humanitarian and his efforts are many. On more than one occasion, he has reconstructed a child's face after a horrible dog attack. When one of a 12 year old boy's two family dogs turned on the young baseball player as he was trying to break up a fight between them, the attack destroyed most of the boy's right cheek. The psychological ramifications of losing half your face can be very severe for a child. The family could not't afford the $20,000 such a procedure would cost. Dr. Sofonio treated the boy without cost. The procedures changed the boy's life.

In another case, a woman was told by her doctor that, due to health reasons, she must lose weight. She then lost over 150 pounds from gastric bypass surgery and was left with a large amount of loose, hanging skin. She could not afford the procedures to remove it. Dr. Sofonio donated his time and skills at no charge.

Dr. Sofonio conducts yearly trips to Mexico, donating his time and expertise to disadvantaged patients who cannot afford the expensive procedures and treatments. He conducts several yearly seminars at no charge to educate people on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, he regularly donates to many charities and fundraising events and organizations throughout the Coachella Valley, such as the Aids Assistance Program, American Heart Association, Animal Samaritans, College of the Desert, Dusty Wings, Gilda's Club, Guide Dogs of the Desert, Steve Chase Humanitarian, Human Rights Campaign, The Well in the Desert, Rick Weiss Humanitarian Awards and many, many more - donating product gift certificates, purchasing ads in charity programs, donating artwork for auction items, contributing to fundraisers, sponsoring businesses and fundraising events, and so very much more.

"We are proud to honor Dr. Mark V. Sofonio with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars," said Bob Alexander, president of the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.

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. Dr. Sofonio is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Sofonio has also 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. Sheri Breyer Dr. Sofonio was named one of the top 70 doctors in Palm Springs Life magazine. Of the 75,000 cosmetic surgeons practicing in the United States, only 6,000 are board-certified plastic surgeons. Dr. Sofonio is 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 the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Burn Association, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery. 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. In addition, Dr. Sofonio always requires the use of board certified M.D. anesthesiologists for all anesthetic related surgery. Dr. Sofonio brings to the desert community quality, compassion, and individualized care.