Mark Cucuzzella,

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella (MD) Air Force Reserve Lieutenant Colonel (ret), practices at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Martinsburg, West Virginia. As a Professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine, Mark developed and adopted an inpatient protocol for using a low-carb diet for patients with obesity, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Practicing what they preach, the hospital eliminated all sugar-sweetened beverages from the hospital. Mark was instrumental in bringing MEDCHEFS to the WVU School of Medicine in 2014 with a focus on understanding insulin resistance. An advocate for evidence based policy and education, Mark is a founding member of The Nutrition Coalition, a board member of The Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners and The Hypoglycemia Foundation.

Mark’s current research interests are diabetes remission, the use of continuous glucose monitors, and carbohydrate reduction for severe pediatric obesity. He also leads a clinical group "International Multidisciplinary Diabetes Remission Working Group" who just completed a textbook chapter for Ketogenics on medication reduction in Type 2 diabetes adapted from the article Adapting Medication for Type 2 Diabetes to a Low Carbohydrate Diet.

Key Highlights

• Competitive Running: Over 100 marathon and ultramarathon finishes; continues to compete as a masters runner
• Innovative Contributions: Developed the US Air Force Efficient Running Program 
• Recognition: Named a Distinguished Mountaineer by the Governor of West Virginia and a Blue Ridge Outdoors Pioneer

Key Achievements

• Awards:
  • Air Force Athlete of the Year 
  • Colorado Academy of Family Physicians’ Teacher of the Year 
  • Inducted into the Marine Corps Marathon Hall of Fame (2018) 
  • Received the President’s Award from the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine 
• Media Recognition: Featured in prominent outlets such as the New York Times, NPR, Outside Magazine, Running Times, Runners World, Air Force Times, the Washington Post, and JAMA