Dr. Mark S. Rakoczy is a mostly retired optometrist currently serving on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer for VOSH International (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity). He was appointed to this board in October 2018 and will finish his two, three-year terms in November of 2024.
Mark has been providing humanitarian eye care to the people of Haiti since 2010 when he joined a chapter of VOSH International, VOSH Pennsylvania. He was appointed President of VOSH Pa in 2013 and has served in that role since. Helping the people of Haiti was first instilled in him when he joined a student group SOSH (Student Optometric Service to Haiti), at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1980 and took a trip there in early 1981.
Mark has been a team leader for VOSH Pa since 2011 carrying out clinics at least yearly. Currently, he is working with colleagues to establish a sustainable eye clinic at New Hope Hospital in Plaine du Nord, Haiti.
Mark attended the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown from 1974-1977 and attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, receiving his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1981. There he received the Alumni Award for Academic Excellence, the Faculty Award for Clinical Excellence and Bausch & Lomb 2nd Place award for contact lens achievement. After graduation, he entered active duty as a Captain in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. He served in the 326th Medical Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division for a year, then two years in the MEDDAC.
After the military, he started private practice in 1984 in rural Everett, Pennsylvania. His interests were glaucoma and macular degeneration along with general optometric services. He sold his practice on January 1, 2019, but did fill-in work until recently. He now spends his time volunteering in Haiti and community service with the Everett Lions Club since 1991. Mark raised funds through the Lions by running in 5k,10k and one-half marathon, sending $2,000 to Lions International Sight First II in 2008 and a total of $7,300 to Optometry Giving Sight from 2009 to 2015. He received the Melvin Jones Service Award from Lions International in 2009.
Mark enjoys exercising, fishing, travel and family time with his wife, three children and nine grandchildren.
