Mark Ashton Lyles MD

Mark Ashton Lyles, 58, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on August 13, 2025, at his home in Charleston.
Born January 7, 1967, in Sumter, he was a son of Daniel Ashton Lyles and Dorothy Mathis Lyles.
After graduating from Wilson Hall School in 1985, he obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and a medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Dr. Lyles completed his medical residency in Internal Medicine at MUSC, followed by a fellowship in Quality Management and Managed Care at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. He later earned his MBA in Health Care Management from The Wharton School, combining clinical insight with strategic acumen to reshape health systems and pharmaceutical development. Throughout a 14-year tenure at MUSC, Dr. Lyles held numerous leadership roles, including Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Chief Strategic Officer, and Chief Affiliations and Business Transformation Officer. He also served as Executive Administrator of MUSC's pioneering telemedicine program and helped launch the MUSC Health Plan, benefiting over 19,000 employees and dependents.
In the pharmaceutical sector, Dr. Lyles served as Executive Director of Global Medical Affairs and Patient Advocacy at Amicus Therapeutics, where he led the development of AT-GAA for Pompe Disease and oversaw the largest lysosomal disease trial ever conducted. His work in compassionate use programs and patient advocacy brought hope to families around the world.
Colleagues described Dr. Lyles as a "gifted innovator" and "model physician," whose leadership was marked by integrity, empathy, and a common-sense approach to problem-solving. His contributions to medical education, policy, and patient care will continue to ripple through the lives he touched. He is remembered not only for his professional brilliance but for his warmth, humility, and unwavering commitment to making health care better-for everyone.
Dr. Lyles was a gifted physician, visionary leader, and tireless advocate for patients and communities, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, compassion, and transformative impact across the fields of medicine, education, and health care strategy.
In addition to his parents of Sumter, he is survived by his children, Samuel Finn Lyles and Georgia Claire Lyles both of Mount Pleasant; his former wife, Robin Young Lyles of Mount Pleasant; a sister, Paige Lyles Stokes (Danny) of Sumter; a brother, Charles "Chuck" Van Patten of Lexington; two nieces, Amber McGarity (Colin) and Mary Daniel Griffith (Austin); two nephews, Todd Brown (Gaffney), and Luke Stokes (Ansley); several great nieces and great nephews.
Dr. Lyles was preceded in death by a sister, Heather Lyles.
In lieu of flowers, his family invites you to honor his memory by contributing to the Dr. Mark Lyles Medical Mission Scholarship Fund through OneWorld Health. This fund will provide scholarships for medical volunteers to join mission teams-bringing their skills, compassion, and care to communities in need, just as Dr. Lyles did throughout his life. Donations may be mailed to OneWorld Health, Dr. Mark Lyles Medical Mission Scholarship Fund, 21 D Gamecock Avenue, Charleston 29407, or online at https://bit.ly/4ozw2Tb
The family of Dr. Lyles wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Kimberly Davis, Christina Wheeler, Dr. David Yang, Susan Thibeault and the nurses, doctors and staff at MUSC for their compassion, kindness and expert medical care.
A visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 2-4 pm in the Fellowship Hall at Sumter First Baptist Church, 107 East Liberty Street.
A celebration of life will be held in Charleston at a later date.