Mark Cucuzzella

Cucuzzella currently holds a medical license in West Virginia along with a DEA Certificate.^[11] He was a primary care physician for a clinic serving post 9-11 combat veterans at the Martinsburg WV Veterans Administration Hospital. He is certified as a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and holds Diplomate status with the American Board of Obesity Medicine.^[12] He retired as a US Air Force Flight Surgeon.^[13] In his previous roles, Cucuzzella held the title of Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at West Virginia University from 2005 to 2023.^[14] He also served as the Director of the Cardiopulmonary Lab at Jefferson Healthcare Hospital.^[15] Prior to his tenure at West Virginia University, Cucuzzella held various positions, including Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force Reserves from 2005 to 2017 and assistant professor at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center from 2000 to 2005.^[16] During his time at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Cucuzzella served as a Family Medicine Hospitalist, delivering comprehensive inpatient care, and later transitioned to the role of Director of Inpatient Service.^[17]

After foot surgery in the year 2000 which threatened his running career Cucuzzella became interested in minimal shoes and barefoot running. This was before the height of the minimal shoe and barefoot running movement brought on by the book Born to Run.^[18]

• Paul Harris Fellow Shepherdstown Rotary 2022^[19]
• Marine Corps Marathon Hall of Fame 2018^[20]
• American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine Presidents Award 2018^[21]