Mary and Dr. Mark D’Andrea are passionate about helping individuals battling cancer. Mary is the director of marketing for the University Cancer Centers and assists Mark, the medical director, with marketing, opening, and managing new cancer and diagnostic centers throughout the state. Currently, there are five University Cancer Centers in Texas.

 

Mary is a fifth generation Houstonian. Her flair for fashion stems from the Fashion Merchandising degree she received from the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation, Mary took her first position in fashion management and soon came to realize that a career change would be necessary to afford and pursue her other passions of travel, architecture, and philanthropy. Embracing her new career in pharmaceuticals, Mary quickly ascended the ranks. Recruited to help launch a new Houston-based pharmaceutical company, Mary served as vice president for five years until the company was sold. As she was gaining national recognition for her achievements, she and Mark met.

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Mark graduated from the Ponce School of Medicine and received his BA from Luther College where he majored in chemistry, biology, and religion. Prior to his position at University Cancer Centers, Mark was an Attending Radiation Oncologist at East Texas Cancer Institute. He is active in medical research, has a number of hospital affiliations, has published many scholarly articles in medical publications, and has numerous patents for inventing radiation therapy devises.

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Mary and Mark have three amazing children: Mia, Mark II, and Merra. Commenting on the fact that everyone’s name begins with an M, Mary says the first four were by coincidence but the last one was very much planned. 

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In service to the Houston community, Mary has served on the board of trustees and the special events committee for the Houston Grand Opera (HGO) and has also cochaired Opening Night for HGO. As well, Mary has chaired the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Gala, the Arthritis Foundation Boo Ball, the Main Street Theater Follies Gala, and the Center Annual Luncheon. Currently, Mary is preparing the JDRF 20th Anniversary Promise Ball 2019. She is serving as gala chairman. Mary was honored to be named to the Houston Chronicle Best Dressed list in 2016.

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Mark is involved with a number of professional organizations, including the Harris County Medical Society, counseling committee; American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology (ASTRO); American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); and was a member of the Virtuosi of Houston honorary committee. Mark, has also served as president and vice president of the Harris County Medical Society (Southeast Branch), and he served for four years as a member of the Texas Association Council on Scientific Affairs.

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Some of Mark’s honors include: named one of Houston’s Top Doctors, H Texas Magazine; named Most Compassionate Doctor, Patient’s Choice; peer-reviewed physician; included in Guide to America’s Oncologists, Consumers’ Research Council of America; made a Distinguished Fellow of the American Board of Oncology, and made a Fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology. He is also named in Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, and Who’s Who in the South and Southwest.

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Together, Mary and Mark are the founding members of  Texas Medical Charities, a charity that assists with patient needs that extend beyond the walls of cancer centers. Mary’s favorite saying is, “Never take away hope.” With the services Mary and Dr. Mark D’Andrea provide through the University Cancer Centers and their charity, as well as the service they give to the community, it is evident that the couple keeps hope alive for many.

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It is for all the reasons mentioned above, and many more, that Mary and Dr. Mark D’Andrea have been named a Top 20 Power Couple Impact Maker for 2019.