Dr. Kwatra, who will begin the new role in early 2024, will hold the Joseph W. Burnett Endowed Professor and Chair in Dermatology.

Shawn Kwatra, MD will become the next Chair of the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine Department of Dermatology and Chief of Service of Dermatology at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), following a national search. 

Dr. Kwatra, who will begin the new role in early 2024, will hold the Joseph W. Burnett Endowed Professor and Chair in Dermatology.

Dr. Kwatra joins UMSOM from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he served as the Founding Director of the Johns Hopkins Itch Center. 

Dr. Kwatra will continue to improve on the educational experience for UMMC’s Dermatology residents and UMSOM medical students, and will strive for diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels of the Department, including faculty, staff and trainees.

Dr. Kwatra is an NIH funded investigator whose research focuses on precision medicine-based techniques to uncover new patient endotypes, designing and leading Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials  and studying racial disparities in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases. His research is supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Dermatology Foundation, Skin of Color Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology.

Dr. Kwatra has served on the Board of Directors of the Skin of Color Society, and currently serves as the National Secretary/Treasurer. He is a member of the National Eczema Association’s Scientific and Medical Advisory Council. He was also inducted into the Johns Hopkins Distinguished Teaching Society for his bedside teaching and mentorship of medical students, residents, and fellows.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University and his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in dermatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

 “We are delighted to have recruited such an exceptional and highly-accomplished international leader in Dermatology to be our new Department Chair,“ says Dean Gladwin, who is also Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor, in a news release.

“I want to thank Dr. Jason Rose for his outstanding service as Interim Dean. I am confident that Dr. Kwatra has the leadership skills and vision to lead the Department and UMMC's Dermatology Clinical Service through expansion to a higher level of excellence.”

In his new position, Dr. Kwatra will help expand the clinical practice through Faculty Physicians, Inc. (FPI), with the goal of expanding outpatient services in collaboration with UMMC and UMMS hospitals and physician practices.

He will also recruit new physician scientists and building collaborations with other programs and institutes within the UMSOM.

“It is an honor to be the next Chair of Dermatology at such a prestigious medical school,” says Dr. Kwatra. “I am excited to work alongside Dean Gladwin, a visionary and dynamic leader to build the Department of Dermatology’s clinical footprint throughout the state of Maryland, enhance educational programs, and develop a thriving research enterprise.”

"I am pleased to welcome such a well-regarded clinician, researcher and leader in the field of inflammatory skin diseases,” says Bert W. O'Malley, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Maryland Medical Center.

“I’m particularly enthusiastic about Dr. Kwatra’s commitment to discovery and innovation around unmet health care needs. I look forward to working with him in the years ahead to further strengthen our dermatology program to serve more people with complex skin conditions from across the state and the region.” 

Zaineb H. Makhzoumi, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Section Head of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology, and Director of Clinical Services in the Department of Dermatology adds: “I am thrilled to have Dr. Kwatra join our department and lead us as our next Chair.”

“Having known Dr. Kwatra both personally and professionally for nearly a decade I can confidently say that he possesses both the vision and knowledge to take our department to an even higher level of clinical excellence and recognition both locally and nationally. He has established himself as a leader and visionary in our field and I look forward to expanding our department even further under his guidance. I also want to thank Dr. Jason Rose for his outstanding leadership and dedication to our department over the last year while serving as interim chair.”