C. Kent Kwoh, MD, director of the University of Arizona Arthritis Center, has been named Master of the American College of Rheumatology - one of the highest honors bestowed by the College upon its distinguished members. The designation of Master is conferred on ACR members, age 65 or older, who have made outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or service to their patients, students, and the rheumatology profession. These honorees have devoted their long careers to furthering rheumatology research and improving clinical standards in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. The award will be presented to Dr. Kwoh at the 2023 American College of Rheumatology Convergence, held Nov. 10-15 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
In addition to serving as director of the University of Arizona Arthritis Center, Dr. Kwoh is a professor of medicine and medical imaging in the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, chief of the UA Division of Rheumatology, and holds the Charles A. L and Suzanne M. Stephens Endowed Chair in Rheumatology.
Internationally-recognized as an expert in the identification, development and progression of osteoarthritis and the characterization of pain patterns in osteoarthritis, Dr. Kwoh also holds a major interest in the reduction - and ultimately the elimination - of racial disparities in the management of arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases.
He recently extended his research funding on a nearly $4 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to further his studies on the determinants of rapid knee deterioration. This leading-edge study targets the identification of novel measures of knee structure on x-rays that can predict who experiences rapid knee deterioration, as well as the need for knee replacement in the future. This grant follows awards of close to $11 million from the NIH during Dr. Kwoh’s tenure at the University of Arizona and total career funding from the NIH of over $75 million – continuous since 1989.
An author of nearly 300 peer-reviewed publications, he has been awarded numerous honors throughout his 40-year tenure as a rheumatologist. He has mentored nearly 50 medical and doctoral students, residents and fellows and has also received one of the University of Arizona College of Medicine’s top honors: The Mentoring Award.