The University of Maryland announced that Shawn Kwatra, MD, has been appointed the Joseph W. Burnett Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the university’s School of Medicine, and Chief of Service of Dermatology at the university’s Medical Center. Dr. Kwatra currently serves as the Founding Director of the Johns Hopkins Itch Center, where he has focused his research on novel precision medicine–based techniques; skin of color; racial disparities in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases; immunotherapy-related cutaneous adverse events; and chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, and chronic pruritis of unknown origin. Renowned for his leadership qualities, Dr. Kwatra hopes to use his expertise to improve dermatology clinical practice and outpatient services, expand research initiatives, champion interdepartmental collaboration, and strengthen the Department of Dermatology with new educational programs and physician-scientist recruitment. “I am excited to … build the Department of Dermatology’s clinical footprint throughout the state of Maryland … and develop a thriving research enterprise,” he concluded. Dr. Kwatra expects to begin his new role in early 2024.
September 27, 2023