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MarkDeLegge

Mark DeLegge was born in Schenectady, New York State. He attended high school in Scotia, New York, and college at the University at Albany, New York. Professor DeLegge began medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico, before transferring to the University of Maryland in Baltimore. He served his residency and chief residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology and nutrition at the Medical School of Virginia in Richmond.

Prof. DeLegge is currently Associate Professor of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, and Director of the Section of Nutrition in the Digestive Disease Center.

Prof. DeLegge is married with 3 children. His wife is a biomedical engineer, and together they are involved in the development and design of gastrointestinal medical devices. They have also jointly authored book chapters and articles. The DeLegge family live in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina, a fabulous city lying adjacent to Charleston.

What made you decide to become a gastroenterologist?

I trained at the University of Connecticut Health Center, where Jim Freston was the chairman for the department of medicine. He had a big influence on my career decision.

Who was the teacher you admired the most?

I did my gastroenterology training at the Medical College of Virginia. Reno Vlahcevic was the division chairman and an outstanding teacher.

Why did you get involved with nutrition as a specialty in gastroenterology?

I became very aware during my residency that many physicians were not very knowledgeable in nutrition and that the gastroenterologist was frequently outside the nutrition loop.

Which research paper influenced you the most?

George Blackburn wrote an article about the skeleton in the closet regarding the malnutrition prevalence in the hospitalized patient.

What is the most important fact that you have discovered?

That the nutritional intervention on ICU patients does not stop protein catabolism but markedly reduces it.

What is the biggest mistake that you have made?

In the midst of my academic career I tried a private practice stint, which made me absolutely miserable.

What is your unfulfilled ambition?

To build a human nutrition center at the University of South Carolina.

What is your greatest regret?

Not spending enough time with my family while my career was blossoming.

How do you relax?

Spending time outdoors and sailing.

What is your favorite sport?

Golf.

What is your best place in the world?

The tip of the Baja in Mexico, with plenty of sunshine activities and dynamite sailing.

What is your favorite film?

"The Big Chill" .

What car do you drive?

A Dodge Dakota Quad Cab.

What is your best electronic 'toy'?

My hand-held yardage and pin finder for golf. Describes pin location and distance to the pin.

What book are you reading at the moment?

"Move to Strike" by Perri O’Shaughnessy.

Why did you get in involved in GastroHep.com?

This is a complete medical education website that would allow me to rapidly disseminate information regarding nutrition and the gastroenterologist’s role.