A passionate scientist and talented thespian, Richard “Rick” Marfuggi's unique blend of talents in medicine and the arts has inspired admiration, demonstrating his dedication to improving lives in operating rooms, lecture halls, and stages across America.

Throughout his clinical career, he improved form and function for countless trauma, burn, and cancer patients. In his ‘spare’ time, he worked at the Metropolitan Opera for 25 seasons as an artistic supernumerary, helping to bring new and centuries-old operas to life.

His pursuit of seemingly contradictory passions began at the College of the Holy Cross, where he studied Biology and Theatre. After graduating with honors, he returned to his native Vermont and enrolled at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. In addition to campus studies, he completed externships at the University of California, San Francisco; the Yale New Haven Hospitals; and the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, before earning his medical degree.

After graduation, Richard undertook seven years as a surgical resident; five years in general surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Hospitals and the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine, and two years in his chosen specialty at the Institute for Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at New York University. He began private practice as HIV/AIDS was becoming a household word. Despite the risks to his health and reputation, Richard continued treating at-risk populations with the skill and humanity that have defined his career.

His leadership as academic director of the National Student Leadership Conference on Medicine and Health Care, and his pioneering role as the first MD to earn a DMH (Doctor of Medical Humanities) degree, fostered respect and admiration for his commitment to medicine, medical humanities, and education.
Because of this service, the American Medical Association Foundation recruited him to serve as a Commissioner on LGBTQ+ Health.

Richard is honored to receive the Larner College of Medicine Alumni Association 2026 Service to Medicine & Community Award. He considers it validation of his lifelong commitment to medicine and the medical humanities.