Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award: Mark Kuriata

Dr. Mark A. Kuriata is an osteopathic dermatologist who owns and practices at Advanced Dermatology in St. Joseph. Though his first priority is to his family, he loves his job and values his time spent teaching. Through Michigan State University, Dr. Kuriata is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgical  Specialties and Program Director for a dermatology residency training program in partnership with Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Kuriata discovered his love for dermatology as a physician’s assistant in Rochester, New York. After medical school, he was chosen for one of only eight osteopathic dermatology residencies in the United States, at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine/Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.

Dr. Kuriata grew up in Dowagiac and was encouraged by the medical community in St. Joseph to return to the area to start his practice in 1999. Since then, Advanced
Dermatology has flourished. After five years, he was able to expand into a new office building on Maiden Lane, and he now employs a staff of more than 25 people.

Dr. Kuriata has a doctor of osteopathy degree from the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, a bachelor of science in medicine from Western Michigan University, and an Associate of Applied Science from Lake Michigan College. He says that LMC was “a springboard that catapulted me to reach my goals and provided me with the confidence to ask questions.”

The Clarence Beckwith Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Mark Kuriata in 2014.