Mark S. Elliott MD, was born in Jackson, MS while both of his parents were in training at University Medical Center, his father in general surgery residency, and his mother in medical school. After completion of their training the family moved to Anniston, AL, where they lived until Mark completed kindergarten. The family decided to make Baton Rouge, LA home, where he attended Episcopal High School and excelled in both academics and athletics.

He received several honors in sports and in his senior year was named first team All City in Baton Rouge and first team All State in basketball and was regional champion in the javelin. Several college scholarship offers were made for basketball. His jersey was retired and later he was inducted into the Episcopal High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Academically, Mark finished 4th in his class and belonged to multiple honor societies.