Dr. C. Kent Kwoh Recognized with College of Medicine – Tucson Mentoring Award

June 23, 2020

University of Arizona Arthritis Center Director C. Kent Kwoh, MD, was one of six faculty members named as a 2020 Faculty Mentoring Award winner at the May General Faculty Meeting of the College of Medicine – Tucson. Dr. Kwoh has mentored more than 30 trainees and junior faculty in the areas of epidemiology and health services research related to rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

“Dr. Kwoh combines scientific vision with hard work, dedication and integrity. Mentoring young investigators has been an important component of his academic career,” said Tze-Woei Tan, MD, assistant professor of surgery. “One of the main reasons my NIH K23 Career Development Award was funded on the first submission is because of Dr. Kwoh’s mentorship and coaching. I am incredibly grateful for his guidance to ensure my success in this K23 proposal and assist in my transition to an independent surgeon-scientist.”

C. Kent Kwoh, MD

C. Kent Kwoh, MD

For nominees to be considered for the award, now in its sixth year, mentees were asked to submit letters of nomination to the Dean’s Council on Faculty Affairs indicating the types of mentoring they received and how their mentor has contributed to their success. The annual awards honor faculty members who demonstrate outstanding commitment to mentorship and recognize the importance of mentorship for the success of faculty.

“The Faculty Mentoring Awards were established to recognize the selfless faculty who are committed to empowering their fellow colleagues,” said Alice Min, MD, assistant dean of faculty development. “For junior faculty in academic medicine, mentorship is crucial. Finding someone who will support you, coach you through challenges, and help you build networks and find the right opportunities is essential.”

Dr. Kwoh’s major research interests are in outcome assessment and the examination of risk factors for the development and progression of a broad spectrum of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. His current work focuses on the identification of biomarkers, most notably MRI imaging biomarkers for the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis, and the characterization of knee pain patterns in osteoarthritis. He also has a major interest in the reduction and, ultimately, the elimination of disparities in the management of arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases.

“The mentors I have had in my life have been critical to the success that I have achieved during my career. My dedication to mentoring is my way of giving back,” said Dr. Kwoh. “I hope to pass along the knowledge I have gained to the next generation of physicians and scientists, who in turn I hope will become successful mentors themselves.”

The other 2020 Faculty Mentoring Award winners are: