Steve Pappas, MD

Steve Pappas grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where sports were part of everyday life—soccer, basketball, cross country, and track. His path has been anything but ordinary. After earning a degree in music from Harvard University, Steve enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served as a Force Recon Marine, deploying to Afghanistan. Those experiences ultimately redirected his life toward healing rather than conflict, leading him to a career in medicine.

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He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, complete his residency in internal medicine at Duke University, and pursue fellowship training in infectious diseases. Today, Steve is double board-certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases and cares for veterans at the Durham VA Hospital.

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Steve also brings a deeply personal perspective to medicine. In 2019, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and underwent six cycles of chemotherapy, achieving remission in 2020. His own journey through cancer made him a passionate advocate for the role of exercise during treatment and recovery—something he champions for patients and lives out himself.

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Now in his mid-40s, Steve continues to train and compete in triathlons, CrossFit, and a wide range of sports. Inspired by athletes from gymnasts to marathon swimmers, his philosophy emphasizes well-rounded fitness and resilience in both body and mind.

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Personal Bests:

• 400m run: 51.8
• 800m run: 1:57
• 1600m run: 4:28
• 3200m run: 9:59
• 5000m run: 16:31
• Half marathon: 1:24:28
• Triathlon (international distance): 2:31:40
• Deadlift: 525 lbs (raw conventional) / 605 lbs (trap bar, with straps)
• Front squat: 325 lbs
• Max pull-ups: 32

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