About Dr. Kwatra
Dr. Kwatra grew up in Tampa, Florida and Toledo, Ohio. He attended the University of Florida for college, majoring in History. After completing medical school at Ohio State University, Dr. Kwatra moved to the valley and did an internship in internal medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He returned to Ohio State to train in dermatology.
During his residency at Ohio State, he developed a strong interest in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. For this reason, Dr. Kwatra underwent additional fellowship training in the surgical treatment of skin cancer using Mohs Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He surgically treated and repaired over 1,500 cases of skin cancer prior to returning to Phoenix. Since then, Dr Kwatra has treated over 40,000 additional cases of skin cancer.
Dr Kwatra is married to Julie Baskin Kwatra, M.D., an obstetrician/gynecologist. They have 2 daughters.
Philosophy
The practice of medicine is a blending of medical science with the art of healing. It is our highest priority to develop a trusting relationship with our patients. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. We want you to understand your diagnosis and feel comfortable with the treatment choices. You will be advised the same as we would for anu family member.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs Surgery is the state of art method for removing skin cancers. Initially, only the tumor that is apparent to the naked eye is excised. This tissue is then processed in the lab using special techniques that allow us to see the entire peripheral (outside edges) and deep margin, it is for this reason that Mohs surgery has a 98% chance of curing primary skin cancers. If additional tumor is noted on the first specimen, we map it so that we know exactly where the remaining skin cancer is on the body. During the next step we remove only that which is still cancerous and repeat the process until all the cancer is gone.
Once the cancer is removed, we discuss the various approaches to reconstruct where the skin cancer had previously been, many times allowing the area to heal naturally yields the best results. Other times simple side by side stitching is the best approach. In more challenging cases, a flap or graft may be necessary. Almost always there is more than one way to solve the problem and we will need to determine which one is best for you. Therefore, we will sit down with you, discuss the various options, and proceed from there.
Our Office
We encourage you to call the office if you need to get in touch with us or have a problem or question. We usually answer promptly. However, you may occasionally find it difficult to get a hold of the receptionist. From time to time, there are simply more patients arriving and calling than can be accommodated at the same time. If this occurs, we would simply ask you to try back in 20 to 30 minutes.
Our office hours are Monday to Friday 6:00am – 4:00pm, closed Wednesdays. If you are a recent surgery patient and need assistance after hours, call the office and the recording will instruct you how to reach me.
Continuous Improvement
We welcome your suggestions on what we could do to make your experience with us more pleasant. Please do not hesitate to let us know. Your feedback is critical. By providing constructive criticism, you will not hurt our feelings but will provide us invaluable insight on how we can improve. Please take a few minutes to fill out our anonymous survey in the reception area.