Years Getting Gutsy

But a funny thing happened: Mark realized his true passion was working with his hands; he craved creativity and freedom of choice. Dentistry was being revolutionized by new techniques such as implants, veneers, and other cosmetics. Mark began to take science classes in the summer, so that by the time he made it to the Temple University School of Dentistry, he had 170 undergraduate credits in a variety of subjects. In fact, his advisor at Temple was shocked to learn he had chosen dentistry instead of the MBA program. This would not be the first time someone was surprised to find out Mark was a “dentist trapped inside a CEO’s body.” Years later while golfing with Jim Tucker, an executive with Palmer Candy, Jim asked what Mark did for a living. Mark told him he was a dentist and Jim responded, “No, really, what do you do??” He might just be a little bit more “personality-plus” than most dentists you’ve met.

Speaking of sparkling personalities and transformation, Mark’s world would soon change when he met fellow Wyomissing grad, Wendy Yocum, at a neighborhood gathering at the Mogel’s house in the ‘80s. Although the two grew up a block and a half apart, Wendy was 8 years his junior, so they didn’t really know each other. However, her best friend lived next door to Mark, so Wendy couldn’t help but notice (with a certain degree of alarm!) the gang of teenage “derelicts” who frequently hung out at the Dougherty household when she was a kid. Flash forward and Wendy was home visiting from NYC, where she was a buyer/designer for B Altman. Mark, who was in his residency at the former Community General Hospital by then, saw her at the party and asked Fred to switch seats so he could sit next to her. The next time she came home for a visit, Mark saw Wendy outside her parents’ house and decided to ask her to go on a date. It was, he will admit, the most boring date ever…just basically stopping by a friend’s house. But a dull first date did not stop this romance from blossoming; one year later Mark and Wendy were married and had their honeymoon in Rideau in Canada, a place they have visited every anniversary since. Married life found Mark working for his father in the dental business, and Wendy running the former Clothes Tree.

Fifteen years later, Mark took over the business, and Wendy now works in the practice with him. They have a son, Mac (age 29), and a daughter, Morgan (age 26), and recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.

Mark first became involved with the WRCRF around the year 2000, about three years into its founding, through fellow dentist Dr. Robert Shuttlesworth. At that time, Penn Avenue was not the business district it is today; it was plagued with poor lighting, sidewalks and buildings in disrepair, frequent car accidents, and residential areas struggling with crime and

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blight. The WRCRF was made up of a group of residents, business owners, and community leaders who coordinated with the borough to make improvements to infrastructure, create a continuity along the Avenue, and help and encourage property owners to spruce up their facades. When Robert moved from West Reading, Mark took his place on the foundation, holding many positions before becoming president seven years ago. At that time, he also took Dr. Shuttleworth’s place as Chairman of the Department of Dentistry at the former Reading Health System (now Tower Health,) where he has been involved in many initiatives in addition to dentistry, including committees on community benefits and patient care. He has also taken an active role in the oncology department, with a primary focus on head and neck cancers.

Mark is particularly proud of the work done by the WRCRF during the Covid shutdown in 2020. The foundation went from meeting once a month to holding virtual meetings every week, aggressively looking for ways to save businesses during this difficult time. Even though 8 businesses closed, 21 others opened, including businesses owned by women and people of color. Penn Avenue storefronts were nearly 100% occupied by 2021 – at a time when many other cities were like ghost towns. He has especially enjoyed the opportunity to work with the likes of Main Street Manager Mark Ratcliffe, Councilman Philip Wert, and fellow business owner John Woodward, among others. His biggest goal now is mentoring new volunteers, including someone to take his place when it is his time to move on.

In his limited free time, Mark plays tennis, goes bass fishing (loves the lake, hates the beach) and enjoys trivia and thinking games (loves Scrabble, hates Monopoly). He loves “historical stuff,” recently reading books on the history of Atlantic City (where his family spent time when he was a child) and the speeches of Winston Churchill. This three-time Covid survivor has some simple secrets to happiness: be honest, stand up for yourself when required, embrace the zig-zagging path life will often take (don’t quit!), and stay connected to people you admire – just like he did during the pandemic with those extra WRCRF meetings and daily 8am Tower Health meetings. And of course…don’t forget to smile.

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