A dermatologist from Dowagiac has received a national award for excellence in his field.

Dr. Mark A. Kuriata of Advanced Dermatology in St. Joseph was awarded the honorary title, Fellow of Distinction of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), at the Annual AOCD Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev. on Oct. 1.

The Fellow of Distinction title is given to members of the AOCD who have made outstanding contributions through teaching, authorship, research or professional leadership to the College. Only 56 osteopathic dermatologists in the country currently hold this distinction.

Kuriata graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1984 before going to osteopathic medical school in Des Moines, Iowa and completing a three-year residency program in Missouri.

Kuriata opened his private practice, Advanced Dermatology, in Saint Joseph, Mich. in 1999 and currently operates satellite locations in Niles and Dowagiac.
In addition to his own practice, Kuriata is also a program director of a dermatology residency program at Michigan State University and Lakeland Regional Medical Center.

As program director, Kuriata oversees the education and training of two new doctors who are training to become dermatologists. Students are required to train for three years before taking their board exams.
According to Kuriata’s daughter, Elyse Kuriata, who serves as business manager and residency coordinator at Advanced Dermatology, dermatology residency programs are in high demand while few and far between, so Kuriata’s assistance as program director is helpful in allowing more doctors to learn the specialty.

Kuriata holds a number of other titles including clinical assistant professor at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) and member of the Board of Trustees of the American College of Osteopathic Dermatology (AOCD).