Mark W. McDonald Emory Faculty
Mark W. McDonald Emory Faculty

Mark W. McDonald, MD

Radiation Oncology

4.9 - 284 Ratings

Emory Proton Therapy Center

615 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30308 +1 More Locations
Telehealth Visits Available

Booking information not available

(833) 377-6866

About

Mark McDonald, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist who is specialized primarily in the treatment of head and neck, and skull base tumors including chordoma. He has extensive experience with proton therapy and served as the founding medical director of the Emory Proton Therapy Center from 2015-2026. He currently serves in a non-clinical role to support administrative projects and scholarship within the Department of Radiation Oncology.

Dr. McDonald completed his medical education at The Ohio State University and his residency training at Emory University School of Medicine, where he served as chief resident. He previously worked at the Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center, before returning to Emory to develop the proton therapy program.

Dr. McDonald has authored and coauthored numerous research publications and peer-reviewed articles. He has presented research and served as a faculty member at many national and international scientific meetings. He is frequently invited to be a speaker on proton therapy.

Dr. McDonald is a past director of the physician residency training program in the Department of Radiation Oncology. As a faculty teacher, he was twice selected by the department's resident physicians as the "Educator of the Year,” He is a past recipient of the Young Oncologist Essay Award from the American Radium Society, and the Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award from the Radiological Society of North America. His research has been cited in the clinical practice guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Languages

  • English

Emory Affiliation

  • Emory Clinic - School of Medicine Faculty
  • Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
  • Emory Healthcare Network
  • Emory Physician Group Practice

Academic Title

  • Professor

Year Started Practicing

  • 2009

Locations

Emory Proton Therapy Center

615 Peachtree Street Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30308

Emory Proton Therapy Center location map

Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown

36 Linden Avenue Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30308

Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown location map

Ratings & Reviews

4.9 out of 5 overall rating 284 ratings

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

4.9 Provider showed concern
4.9 Provider explained things clearly
4.9 Provider discussed treatment options
4.9 Provider included you in decisions
4.8 Likelihood of recommending this provider
5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-09-10

Very professional, candid and thorough discussion. Left feeling all my concerns were addressed.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-07-27

Dr. McDonald and his staff are exceptional in every way!

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-07-24

Please see comment above - I feel very well taken care of as a patient at the Emory Proton Therapy Center.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-06-02

Personable, professional, and knowledgeable!

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-05-28

Dr McDonald and his resident fellow were very informative and went over everything in detail!

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-05-23

Great

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-05-23

Dr McDonald is an amazing provider, always patient, caring, sincere, great patient teaching and also is very motivating and positive

3 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-05-21

Did not seem to be concerned about me, just the diagnosis and treatment

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-05-20

I was impressed

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-05-17

Excellent

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-05-16

Excellent and patient listener

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-04-25

I think highly of Dr McDonald. He has been wonderful helping me with two complex skin cancer situations in the past few years.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-04-09

My health care provider and his assistants were always professional and knowledgeable of their responsibilities and concerns for my wellbeing. They were very patient and willing to explain things to me

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-04-05

Dr. Macdonald was completely up to speed with my case and history. Offered us a pot be proactive in our care.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-03-24

He seems like a male doctor that listens to his patients. Not all doctors listen to female patients.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-03-15

Dr. Mcdonald is wonderful! He is compassionate and a good listener. He is patient and offers options when those are available. He has a kind and caring demeanor and manner.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-02-28

Dr McDonald was great. He took time to explain to me what to expect for Proton Therapy and any concerns I had.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-02-26

All good

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-02-26

Dr McDonald was very thorough and informative.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-02-22

Dr. McDonald is great at patient teaching concerning my condition, always answers all my questions, includes me in on treatments and future treatments and very caring. He has always made sure I understand my cancer treatment process, things to expect while we go through mh cancer treatment process. I always tell my friends, family, and acquaintances to use Dr McDonald at Emory

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-02-19

Dr Mcdonald is the best!!

3 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-02-08

I experienced him to be polite but aloof.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-02-07

Dr McDonald was very patient, concerned and Informative about my condition and treatment options. I was at City of Hope today and several employees who have spoken with Dr McDonald highly praised him.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-02-06

Dr. McDonald explained thoroughly my MRI results. He listened carefully to my concerns.I would recommend him with confidence.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-01-19

Nobody does it better than Dr Mark McDonald! So smart, thorough, and a great bedside manner!

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-01-15

The nurses, P.A. Nutritionist and Dr McDonald are all excellent and just focused on what they can do for me

4 out of 5 Reviewed on 2025-01-03

Good

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-12-25

Dr. McDonald explains the treatment plan thoroughly and patiently. Rare to find a doctor with such expertise and a great bedside manner!

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-12-18

Team is phenomenal

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-12-13

Favorable clear explanation regarding treatment preparation.

4 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-12-11

Good

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-12-04

Dr. McDonald is an extremely kind and caring person and is very encouraging. He is a fantastic Doctor. I would recommend him to anyone in my situation,

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-11-14

Dr McDonald is simply the best. Shows his concerns for your well-being. Highly recommend him.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-11-13

Dr. McDonald's staff provided great patient teaching, provided proven treatments/tips for care of my condition, compassionate and professional. Shout out to Dr. McDonald, Nurse Practioner Tova, Nurse Emily. The proton radiation staff was outstanding, good patient teaching, comfortable setting, love the music. Also shout out to Dr. Shin's staff and the chemo treatment nurses. They were very professional, compassionate, every treatment was a good experience.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-11-08

Dr McDonald and the entire staff at the Proton Center have been super to work with. Always, professional, friendly and caring.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-10-30

Dr. McDonald and staff are caring and excellent listeners.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-10-18

Very good experience , Dr McDonald

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-10-16

Dr. McDonald is an outstanding oncologist. He is well informed about my case. This is the fifth year since my last MRI and CAT scan.. I had sixty days of proton therapy. After we discussed the overall results he is ready to release me. What joyous news.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-10-16

Dr. McDonald has been excellent over the five years I was under his care

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-26

I had an excellent experience throughout my entire visit

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-25

Good

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-24

Dr McDonald gave us a very thorough and detailed explanation of their recommendation and answered all of our questions patiently.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-24

Phenomenal Doctors!

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-21

Great

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-20

Dr McDonald explains things well.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-19

Dr McDonald was very knowledgeable, he explained everything thoroughly, and gave us plenty of opportunity to ask questions. All the staff was courteous and reassuring.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-11

Good

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-11

Good

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-09-07

Great

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-08-31

Excellent and unhurried consult. All questions answered.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-08-29

Everyone very nice and knowledgable. From doctor to front desk!

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-08-11

Answered every question to the point very comfortable

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-08-05

Excellent

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-07-28

Very satisfied with the level of care, listening skills and support provided.

5 out of 5 Reviewed on 2024-06-28

Dr McDonald was very knowledgeable, he explained everything thoroughly, and gave us plenty of opportunity to ask questions. All the staff was courteous and reassuring.

Credentials

Education

  • Residency: Emory University School of Medicine, Radiation Oncology, 2009
  • Medical Education: The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, MD, 2004

Board Certifications

  • Radiation Oncology, American Board of Radiology, 2010