Mazzuchi Named Commencement Speaker

Dr. Daniel Mazzuchi, a distinguished physician and Marquette community leader, will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Northern Michigan University’s mid-year commencement on Saturday, Dec. 11.

Mazzuchi retired in 2001 as CEO of the Upper Peninsula Health Education Corporation (UPHEC), a not-for-profit corporation created in 1974 to train physicians to work in medically underserved communities within the Upper Peninsula. He previously served UPHEC in the capacities of vice president and director of residency planning. Mazzuchi spearheaded the creation of the U.P.’s only medical residency program in 1977. These combined efforts have had a significant and positive impact on meeting physician needs in the U.P. and in the growth of the Marquette medical community. He received the Founding Father of Medicine Award earlier this year from the Marquette General Foundation.

Relocating to Marquette from Maryland in 1973, Mazzuchi opened a nephrology practice and became the area’s first kidney specialist. Other professional roles included chief of staff at Marquette General Hospital and executive director of the Marquette Medical-Dental Center.  He also was assistant dean and later associate dean for clinical curriculum and community programs at Michigan State University.

As one of the founding members of NMU’s pre-medical advisory board in 1974, Mazzuchi proved to be a valuable asset to the program through his understanding of the medical education process and his passion for helping students. He has supported the university in other ways as a board member of the Wildcat Club and member of the President’s Committee on the Future of NMU Task Force on Academic Excellence. 

Mazzuchi earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass., and his medical degree from George Washington University. He completed his internal medicine residency and a mixed medical internship at D.C. General Hospital in Washington, D.C. From 1969-71, he was a staff internist at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.

Mazzuchi has been a member of or held leadership positions in a number of community organizations, including the Marquette Ambassadors Club, the Marquette/Alger-County Act 54 Board (Community Mental Health), U.P. Child & Family Services, St. Peter Cathedral, the Marquette General Hospital Regional Advisory Council, United Way of Marquette County, the City of Marquette Economic Development Corporation, Economic Club of Marquette County, First National Bank & Trust of Marquette, Marquette Area Chamber of Commerce, the Marquette Symphony Orchestra and Lake Superior Hospice.  He was mayor of the City of Marquette from 1982-1983.