John Murray, MD, professor of dermatology, was honored with the Leonard Palumbo Jr., MD Faculty Achievement Award at the Duke University School of Medicine’s faculty and staff awards ceremony on May 12.
This award recognizes a School of Medicine faculty member who is dedicated to compassionate patient care and excellence in teaching and mentoring young physicians. The award, which includes a stipend to further the recipient’s academic development, was created in memory of Palumbo through an endowment gift by his brother, Duke alumnus Mr. E. Arthur Palumbo.
An alumnus of the Duke University School of Medicine and dermatology residency, Murray joined the Department of Dermatology faculty in 1982 after completing his training. He is a renowned expert in the treatment of psoriasis and keloids and has led and participated in multiple clinical trials that have resulted in the development of several new therapies for these conditions.
Throughout his decades-long career at Duke, Murray has been known as a compassionate, thoughtful, and highly skilled clinician with a passion and gift for teaching and mentoring students, trainees, and junior faculty.
Murray led the dermatology residency program from 1982 to 1995, served as director of the dermatology clinic from 1982 to 2001, and headed the Duke Phototherapy Center from 1982 to 2020. In addition to caring for Duke patients and conducting research, he supervises the resident continuity clinic and works with a resident each month at the TROSA clinic, providing dermatologic care for people recovering from substance use.
Murray was honored with the Department of Dermatology’s J. Lamar Callaway Teaching Award more times than any other faculty member—most recently in 2025—and received the School of Medicine’s Master Clinician/Teacher Award in 2013.
“Dr. Murray is beloved by almost all who are lucky enough to see him as a patient or practice alongside him as a resident or faculty member,” one of his nominators wrote. “He has warmth, patience, humility, and wisdom that make him a first-line source of guidance and advice. So often when we are struggling with a challenging situation—whether it be clinical, professional, or scientific—the next step is unanimously: ‘Let’s ask Dr. Murray.’”