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First Person

F1rst Person: Mark Holland, President and Founder; MedsFile.com

Fall, 2008

Tragedy and Triumph

The single-car accident that took the life of Atlanta Thrashers’ forward Dan Snyder five years ago has had a lasting impact on hockey fans and the Atlanta community.

As painful as the senseless loss of any young life can be, it was especially difficult for recent Robinson graduate Mark Holland, who at the time of the accident in 2003 had recently completed his undergraduate degree at Indiana University.

“After Dan’s passing, I felt a need to find a tangible way to support his memory and family,” said Holland, a die-hard season ticket holder since the team’s inception.

Amidst the sadness, Holland designed and sold t-shirts displaying Dan’s name and number. He hoped the money would allow the Snyders to fund a cause in Dan’s name. The cause became a community ice hockey arena named after Dan in his hometown of Elmira, Ontario, Canada.

Holland helped raise thousands of dollars while applying for graduate school. His caring nature also led him to form his own company in 2004, called MedsFile.com, which allows consumers to create an online personal health record where they may store information about their medications, physicians, emergency contacts, and medical and family history. MedsFile.com is private, secure, and easy-to-use. Holland developed this idea after witnessing his mother try to manage medications and supplements for his grandfather.

“The solid education and support I received from the Robinson College gave me the foundation I needed to manage and build the business that would help my mother and so many others like her,” Holland said.

After receiving his MBA in May, Holland attended the fifth annual and final Dan Snyder Memorial Golf Tournament in Elmira. The tournament overlooked the construction of the arena. Holland stood proudly with the Snyders as they made their dream to memorialize their son a reality.

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