To put it simply, medicine is in his blood. So says Dr. Mark Snyder, who comes from a whole family of doctors. As a youngster, he could envision what his chosen profession would be. "After watching my uncles and grandfather, I could think of no better way to have a challenging and exciting career," he said.

The Minneapolis native received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University in California and later transferred to the University of Cincinnati to complete his medical training. "I became interested in arthritis surgery during medical school because I saw what a dramatic improvement it made in people's lives," said Dr. Snyder, who is now nationally known in the field.

Since arthritis can affect all ages, Dr. Snyder stresses the importance of early diagnosis and prevention, and considers all possible options before joint replacement surgery. In addition, he takes great care in treating the whole patient--not just the arthritic site.

"I take a holistic approach, looking at my patients' needs on many levels," explained Dr. Snyder, who completed a prestigious arthritis fellowship at Harvard Medical School. "There is evidence that natural and homeopathic alternatives to prescriptions may be effective."

Practicing primarily out of the Mt. Auburn, Blue Ash and Five Mile offices, Dr. Snyder also performs annual medical mission work in the Sierra Madre region in northern Mexico. He and his wife, Carol, have three children and live in Mason.

Certifications

• American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons