A Legacy of Surgery

By Tracie Foster

Most individuals prefer to avoid the need for surgical intervention, often considering surgeons only when circumstances require their expertise. Typically, patients consult surgeons due to a medical issue or as a result of trauma from an accident or other unforeseen event.

Understanding the differences between surgical specialties can greatly improve your experience and decision-making when faced with the need for surgical care. Two common types of surgeons are general surgeons and trauma surgeons, each with specific roles in healthcare.

General surgeons are medical professionals who perform a wide range of surgical procedures, including elective surgeries and routine operations, while also diagnosing and managing various conditions. They play an important role in patient care, guiding individuals through the surgical process from consultation to recovery. 

Trauma surgeons specialize in the urgent surgical treatment of patients with serious injuries, often resulting from accidents or traumatic events. They are skilled in providing life-saving interventions in emergency settings, addressing complex and critical injuries. 

Both types of surgeons play a vital role in providing comprehensive surgical care, and the physicians at Pee Dee Surgical Group deliver just that. 

Pee Dee Surgical Group’s history began in the 1970s when Dr. Reginald Bolick and Dr. Joseph Pearson moved to Florence and joined the specialty group known as Florence Surgical Associates. A decade later, they founded Pee Dee Surgical Associates, which eventually evolved into Pee Dee Surgical Group. Driven by a commitment to providing exceptional surgical care, the group became the first in the area to offer breast conservation for the treatment of breast cancer. Throughout the 1990s, the practice expanded significantly, both in size and in the number of surgical procedures performed. The practice later became affiliated with McLeod Physician Associates in 1997.

Nearly four decades later, this team of nine highly qualified surgeons offers unmatched surgical expertise, rooted in a strong legacy of experience, strength, and continuous growth.

To fully appreciate the depth of expertise and talent within Pee Dee Surgical Group, a closer look into each surgeon’s journey reveals their unique experiences and contributions, starting with those who have been part of the practice the longest.

Dr. John Gause

Dr. John Gause, a Florence native with more than 30 years of experience, initially began his medical career in the field of pharmacy. After working as a pharmacist for two years, he decided to pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Gause received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston in 1987. Upon completion of his residency program at the Medical College of Georgia in 1992, he joined the team at Pee Dee Surgical Group.

Dr. Mark Reynolds

In 1997, Dr. Mark Reynolds joined the team at Pee Dee Surgical Group as Director of Trauma Services for McLeod Regional Medical Center. After earning his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia in 1986, he completed his surgical residency at the Graduate Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. After residency, Dr. Reynolds went through two years of fellowship training in Trauma Surgery and Surgical Critical Care at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Before moving to Florence, he served as the Assistant Professor of Surgery at West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown. 

Dr. John Sonfield

From the age of seven, Dr. John Sonfield knew he wanted to be a surgeon, motivated by the desire to make an immediate impact on patients' lives. He received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston in 2000. During his residency, he had the privilege of learning from Dr. Pearson and Dr. Bolick, whose skills and expertise solidified his commitment to surgery. After completing his general surgery residency in 2005, Dr. Sonfield joined Pee Dee Surgical Group that same year.

Dr. John Richey

McLeod welcomed Dr. John Richey to Pee Dee Surgical Group in 2017, following the completion of his fellowship training in ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) and Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. After receiving his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Portsmouth, Dominica, West Indies, Dr. Richey completed his general surgery residency at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital (formerly known as Greenville Health System) in Greenville, South Carolina. 

Dr. Johnson Walker

In 2018, Pee Dee Surgical Group was pleased to welcome Dr. Johnson Walker. Graduating medical school in 2012 from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in West Virginia, Dr. Walker completed his general surgery residency at University Physicians and Surgeons, Marshall Health, in 2017. He then completed his fellowship training in Surgical Critical Care at the University of Louisville Department of Surgery in Kentucky. In 2022, he was named Medical Director of Trauma Services at McLeod Regional Medical Center, a position he still holds today. 

Over the past year, Pee Dee Surgical Group has expanded its practice with the addition of four talented surgeons: Dr. Hugh Willcox, III; Dr. Robert Madlinger; Dr. Blake Breaux and Dr. Allison Foster.

Dr. Hugh Willcox, III

A native of Florence, Dr. Hugh Willcox, III, returned to the area and joined Pee Dee Surgical Group in 2023. He earned his medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia in 2003, where he also completed his general surgery residency in 2009. With extensive experience in both general and trauma surgery, Dr. Willcox performs the full spectrum of open, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical procedures.

Dr. Robert Madlinger

Dr. Robert Madlinger joined the group in June 2024, bringing with him 23 years of surgical experience in both general and trauma surgery. He earned his medical degree at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in 2000 and completed his general surgery residency at St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, New York, in 2005. Following this residency, he completed his Surgical Critical Care fellowship at Lincoln Medical Center in 2006. In 2015, Dr. Madlinger furthered his learning by earning a Master of Public Health from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. In addition to his medical career, Dr. Madlinger currently holds the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Dr. Blake Breaux

Dr. Blake Breaux joined the medical staff at McLeod Regional Medical Center and fellow surgeons at Pee Dee Surgical Group in August 2024. He graduated from the American University of the Caribbean Medical School in Sint Maarten in 2018 and then completed his general surgery residency at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Tacoma, Washington, in 2024. As a general surgeon, Dr. Breaux has extensive training in surgical oncology, colorectal surgery and surgeries to treat diseases of the liver, pancreas, and biliary tract (hepatopancreatobiliary) utilizing robotic, laparoscopic and open techniques.

Dr. Allison Foster

In September 2024, Pee Dee Surgical Group welcomed Dr. Allison Foster. She graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville in 2019, finishing her general surgery residency at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, in 2024. Dr. Foster is skilled at managing a wide range of surgical conditions, with expertise in thyroid and parathyroid surgery, hernia repairs, gastrointestinal surgery, and breast surgery. She has a particular interest in minimally invasive techniques, utilizing laparoscopy and robotic-assisted surgery.