Staff Member Spotlight: Mark Tolentino, NP

Last fall, Mark joined the team at MKHC as our nurse practitioner. As an essential part of the care team, Mark helps us provide quality primary care to our patients. Check out this interview to learn more about Mark!

Originally from the Philippines, Mark’s career has centered around healthcare in various forms. He started out as a pharmacist in his home country, and after moving to the US, he became a nurse and then a nurse practitioner. His clinical background spans from emergency care and home health care to specialty care environments.

Mark sees his work at MKHC as returning to his roots in family practice and primary care. When he found the opportunity at MKHC, he was drawn to the clinic’s mission and felt connected to this type of practice. After only a few months, he says the clinic now feels like home. “I love the work, the coworkers, the volunteers, the patients,” he explains. “It’s a very nice working environment, making a meaningful difference to patients and their families.”

Mark describes his return to primary care as an opportunity to build more connections with patients over time. He values his deeper role in providing education and long-term management, saying “I’m able to treat the patient, not just their specific symptoms.” One example is a patient who had uncontrolled blood sugar and was feeling down and depressed. Mark was able to take the extra time to understand the barriers this patient faced and connect him to other providers and resources. Together, they set realistic goals, and the patient’s condition improved. Mark explains that “It’s not only the knowledge. Knowledge is one part of the equation, but working with the patient is just as effective as medication.”

Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his family, especially playing with his daughter, who is almost four. He also loves staying active—playing pickleball, snowboarding in the winter, biking, and tackling local hikes such as the Billy Goat Trail and Old Rag.

One more fun fact: Mark describes himself as a big pickleball nerd and loves everything about the sport. He’s even encouraging his friends to start playing.

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