As a retired captain in the U.S. Navy’s Medical Corps, Dr. Mark Gould’s qualifications speak for themselves: Thirty years of experience as an orthopedic surgeon and countless surgeries performed. Today, he is a foot and ankle surgeon working out of the Jacksonville 1 VA Clinic on Jefferson Street, and it is one simple fact – beyond his experience or his credentials – that immediately impacts his relationship with his patients.
“When a patient comes into my exam room, the minute he or she knows that I was also in the military, our interaction transcends the typical doctor-patient relationship,” Gould said. “The vet feels comfortable and open to share anything going on in their lives.”
Gould is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served active duty in Iraq.
Gould remarked that the patient may spend a few minutes discussing the physical medical issue but then reveal other areas, particularly mental health, that are contributing to his or her overall well-being. These insights allow Gould to approach his patients’ care holistically, addressing the larger picture and providing a higher level of care.
A 1995 graduate of the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Gould spent 11 years stationed at Coronado in San Diego, California.
In 2002, he had a rare tumor removed. When the tumor returned four years later while he was fighting in Iraq, he decided to come to Jacksonville to receive treatment at Mayo Clinic. Another four years later, in 2008, he joined the team at Naval Hospital Jacksonville at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. During that time, he met Dr. Don Carr, fellow retired Navy captain, who came on board as an orthopedic sports surgeon in 2014. They quickly bonded over their shared experiences, including serving overseas in wartime as orthopedic surgeons, and where they were now in their careers, as the “old hands, bringing the young ones along,” Gould laughed.
Carr had spent the previous 24 years in Portsmouth, Virginia on active duty at its naval medical center. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, he developed a comprehensive Sports Medicine/Human Performance program, mirroring a professional sports model for Naval Special Warfare Tactical Athletes. A graduate of The Uniformed Services University, F. Edward Hebert Medical School in Bethesda, Maryland, Carr completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Florida.
Florida is his wife Maria’s home state, so Carr returned to Florida in 2014 with plans to retire there one day. Nearly a decade later, Carr retired from active military duty in June 2023. He spent about a year as a technology consultant. Then, the VA called.
“Military people are really good people, and I enjoy taking care of them,” said Carr.
It was the icing on the cake when he learned he would be working alongside Gould. Even though Gould left the naval hospital in 2017 to go into private practice, the two men had stayed in touch over the years. They both live at the beach and enjoy spending time with their families – Gould and his wife, Ellen, have four children, and Carr and Maria have two.
“We are standing up the orthopedic surgical practice together at the VA clinic on Jefferson,” said Gould. “Veterans used to have to go to Gainesville or Lake City for their surgical needs; now we can address them here in Jacksonville.”
It has been an exciting learning experience for the whole medical team.
Carr also appreciates the exceptional ties felt among service members. At the VA clinic, his office features a row of hats from all his military roles.
“It’s a great conversation starter,” Carr said. “Patients can find commonality and it helps to put them at ease. Veterans want to be taken care of by their fellow veterans.”
Both Gould and Carr feel fulfilled by working at the VA and providing high-quality care to the wounded servicemen and servicewomen who have sacrificed for our country.
“We focus on the vet and what is in his or her best interest,” said Gould. “We have phenomenal nurses, and everyone is committed to serving our unique patient population.”
