Mary-Kate Wilson, M.D., is an ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and oculoplastic surgeries. Currently an oculoplastics fellow under the mentorship of renowned surgeon Dr. David Kostick, Dr. Wilson is dedicated to working collaboratively with her patients to meet their goals. She prioritizes kindness and respect in her interactions, ensuring that her patients feel comfortable and confident in asking questions.
Dr. Wilson dual-enrolled at the University of Florida in chemistry classes before majoring with distinction in biomedical sciences. She was accepted into UF’s accelerated 7-year Medical Honors Program starting in 2013, where she completed both her B.S. and M.D. degrees and graduated in 2020. During medical school, she served as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society and later completed her ophthalmology residency at UF.
The diverse pathologies and surgeries of oculoplastics captivated her as a first-year resident. Dr. Wilson recognized how vision is intricately linked to proper eyelid function and enjoyed the creative and detailed nature of oculoplastic surgeries. These resonated with her background in ballroom dancing.
One particularly memorable patient case of Dr. Wilson involved a woman with ptosis, or droopy eyelids. After her surgery, she no longer needed to tape her eyelid to keep it open. Her gratitude was evident as she was thrilled not only to see better but also to be relieved from the strain of using her eyebrow muscles to lift her eyelid.
Dr. Wilson’s eldest brother, Ryan, also helped her realize how key vision is to our quality of life. Ryan was born with a condition called partial trisomy. He lived his life in a wheelchair experiencing recurrent seizures, pneumonia, and heart failure. Despite his medical condition, Ryan was a happy child and was always looking around and smiling, living his life through his eyes. This inspired Dr. Wilson to pursue a career that would allow her to help people experience and enjoy life.
Dr. Wilson enjoys a variety of activities in her free time, including ballroom dancing, salsa dancing, mountain biking, and hiking with her dog.