Shawn Kwatra, MD, Endowed as Dr. Joseph Warren Burnett Professor of Dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Image credit: Shahin Shahsavari

“Dr Kwatra has built an impressive career. He has contributed invaluably to our understanding of complex dermatology conditions. His leadership in his field inspires his colleagues and is a beacon of hope for the families he serves,” said William F. Regine, MD, in an investiture ceremony honoring Shawn Kwatra, MD, as the newly endowed Dr. Joseph Warren Burnett Professor of Dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Also holding the title of chair of the department of dermatology, Kwatra was recognized on April 15th at 4:30 pm ET at the university. Colleagues, mentors, and patients gathered to discuss Kwatra’s immense achievements throughout his career and the milestones that led to his endowed position.

Regine, professor and chair of radiation oncology and senior associate dean for clinical affairs at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, was followed by Mark Gladwin, MD, who highlighted Kwatra’s achievements in dermatology. Gladwin, the dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs at the University of Maryland, paid respects to the late Dr Joseph Warren Burnett, who established the department of dermatology at the University of Maryland in 1992.

"Today, we express our deepest gratitude for his extraordinary generosity and foresight. Through his philanthropy, he ensured that exceptional individuals and leaders like Dr Kwatra have the resources and the recognition to continue groundbreaking work,” said Gladwin.

Gladwin noted that the University of Maryland’s endowed professorships began in 1929 and have continued to honor leaders such as Kwatra almost a century later.

Image credit: Shahin Shahsavari

“Dr Kwatra’s path has been a relentless bench-to-bedside journey focused on unraveling the mysteries of skin conditions, particularly in the field of chronic itch, which we call in science pruritus. He's a pioneer physician-scientist in this emerging field of pruritus, or itch research. He excels at the highest level of all aspects of the tripartite mission of education, clinical care, and research,” said Gladwin.

During his career, Kwatra was the founding director of the Johns Hopkins Itch Center. He developed unique strategies and therapies such as occipital nerve blocks, ketamine infusions, cannabinoid therapy, and now the application of new biologics for chronic itch, offering relief to patients without effective options. As Gladwin noted, Kwatra maintains an active translational and clinical research program with over 300 publications in top dermatologic journals. He has research funding for pioneer studies through the National Institute of Health, the Society for Investigative Dermatology, the Dermatology Foundation, the Skin of Color Society, and numerous industry-sponsored clinical trial programs.

“He’s the only NIH-funded investigator in the country studying a fibrotic and intensely pruritic disease called prurigo nodularis, which affects the most vulnerable in our community. His work in this disease led to the first comprehensive immune phenotyping of the disease. He's been a leader in several multi-center clinical trials, including the study of nemolizumab, which is an interleukin 31 receptor blocker that's based on an antibody, and he served as first author on the New England Journal of Medicine study showing that this therapy worked, which was published in 2023. This drug received FDA approval for prurigo nodularis in 2024,” Gladwin added.

To further highlight Kwatra’s dedication to improving lives, 2 of his patients spoke about the impact he has had on their lives. One patient described her prurigo nodularis as painful and debilitating. She drove hours from Virginia to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore just to see Kwatra.

“The medication I’ve taken for several years, dupixent, has really turned my prurigo nodularis around from what I described as a nightmare.... I feel as if I got my life back,” she added.

A second patient who was first referred to Kwatra early in his career described Kwatra as “the most gregarious person” he’s ever met, with an infectious personality and an unmistakable laugh.

“You are not only a great doctor, but you are a wonderful human being,” he added.

Image credit: Shahin Shahsavari

Finally, the honoree of the evening took to the podium to accept his endowment medal and position, and to thank many of his closest family, friends, and mentors.

“I want to say I'm here today because I was blessed to be born in a family that believed in love, learning, and possibility. My parents, my mom and dad, who are here today, you raised me with the unshakable belief that there is no dream too big and no challenge too daunting if you approach it with purpose,” said Kwatra.

He noted that to this day, his father still runs his own lab, continuing the legacy of research and learning.

Kwatra also thanked his sister, lifelong friends, mentors and colleagues from Johns Hopkins, current University of Maryland colleagues, students, patients, pharmaceutical partners, and his wife, Shivani Patel, MD, a pediatric dermatologist at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

“Before I came, our department of dermatology faced a lot of headwinds during the first few months. But today, we are not just rebuilding, we are reimagining what's possible. We are becoming a department that pushes seriously into our future,” said Kwatra.

In concluding his speech and the ceremony, Kwatra highlighted the achievements of the department of dermatology and future milestones to come.

“We are very excited that we're standing at the threshold of a new chapter. This year, we've recruited 8 new faculty. We're opening 2 new state-of-the-art sites. And again, we're not just rebuilding, we are reimagining what's possible. So, this professorship belongs to all of us who believe that progress is made together with purpose, perseverance, and a shared vision. Thank you all for your belief, your partnership, and your presence here today,” Kwatra concluded.

Reference

Investiture ceremony: Dr. Joseph Warren Burnett Professor of Dermatology. University of Maryland School of Medicine. April 15, 2025. Baltimore, MD. https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/endowments/investiture-ceremonies/