Formerly of Salix, Pennsylvania, Dr. Mark A. Karla was a devoted friend to the Shaffer and Thomas families. He was a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. After dental school, Mark moved to Colorado in 2000 for a general practice residency. He practiced and taught dentistry in multiple settings, including his family practice. Mark was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident in 2019.
Mark devoted much of his life to caring for the underserved. During the last years of his life, he volunteered on several mission trips, compassionately serving the children and families of Northeast India. There, Mark helped to build a school and to bring sustainable dentistry to people of the region.
Recognizing Mark’s commitment to serving others, we honor him with “Karla Corner,” helping and supporting children and families for years to come. Karla Corner offers an environment designed especially for children with educational materials that make the space magical. To further honor Mark’s accomplishments, “Karla Corner” honors his wife Alison (Suthers) Karla, his daughter, Isabelle “Izzy,” and the entire Karla and Suthers families.
Our dear friend left an incredible mark on the world. Our family knows the power of remembering. Mark Karla is someone we will carry in our hearts forever. We were blessed to share his life and his light for as long as we did.