Mark Douglas Okusa, MD
Nephrology
Additional Locations
Bio & Overview
Mark D. Okusa, MD, is the John C. Buchanan Distinguished Professor of Medicine. He also serves as Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Director of the Center for Immunity, Inflammation and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
He received a BS (Bachelor of Science) at George Washington University. He then completed his MD, along with his internship and residency training at the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. He completed clinical and research nephrology training at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
Dr. Okusa began his academic career at the University of Virginia in 1991 as a physician-scientist combining clinical care, education and research.
His clinical interests include acute and chronic kidney injury. He participates in the care of patients by maintaining a Nephrology Clinic, attending on a general medicine ward, and attending on the nephrology consult service.
His current research involves the role of inflammation and immune cells in initiating and maintaining acute kidney injury (AKI) leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Through his contributions as principal investigator on two NIH Training Grants, he has promoted the career development of students, postdoctoral trainees and junior faculty. His NIH-funded research focuses on preclinical studies identifying novel targets for AKI and CKD using pharmacological and genetic approaches in models of kidney injury.
He has published over 200 original manuscripts and book chapters. He has served on advisory committees and study sections for the NIH, American Society of Nephrology (ASN), American Heart Association, and National Kidney Foundation, and as Chair of the Program Committee of the ASN (2011).
Dr. Okusa previously was the Associate Editor of Nephron Physiology and Kidney International, as well as a member of the editorial boards of the American Journal of Physiology, American Journal of Nephrology and Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Dr. Okusa has been listed in Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors (2001-2023). He is a member of the American Clinical and Climatological Association and Association of American Physicians and was President of the American Society of Nephrology in 2018.
Academic Information
- Department
- Medicine
- Academic Role
- Professor
- Division
- Nephrology
- Research Interests
- Mechanisms of renal injury
- Gender
- Male
- Languages
- English
- Age Groups Seen
- Adults (21-65)
Older Adults (65+)
- Primary Education
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Residency
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
- Fellowships
- Yale University School of Medicine
- Certification
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine)
- Appointment
- Chief - Division of Nephrology, Director - Center for Immunity, Inflammation and Regenerative Medicine
Highlights
Awards
- 2001-2023 Castle Connolly America’s Top Doctors
- 2015-2020 Best Doctors in America® List
- 2018 Best Bedside Manner Awards, OurHealth Charlottesville and Shenandoah Valley Magazine; Honorable Mention, Nephrology
Reviews
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