Suraj S. Venna, MD

Dr. Suraj Venna is a board-certified dermatologist and Director of the Inova Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center. He currently practices at Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, VA, and is fellowship trained in melanoma and cutaneous oncology. Dr. Venna has experience treating Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), advanced non-melanoma skin cancers (squamous and basal cell carcinomas), and cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL).

Prior to his position at Inova, Dr. Venna directed and founded a multi-disciplinary melanoma and skin cancer program in Washington, D.C. The melanoma team was the recipient of the President's Patients First Award, given for outstanding delivery and coordination of care. He was faculty at Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he taught medical students and trained residents in dermatology. Dr. Venna also directed the melanoma and cutaneous oncology fellowship program.

He is actively engaged with dermatologists both on a local and national level. Dr. Venna was on the Executive Committee of the Washington D.C. Dermatological Society and is also past president of the society. On a national level, he served the American Academy of Dermatology on the State Policy Committee and the Pigmented Lesions Subcommittee.

Awards/Associations/Appointments

• Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Melanoma and Skin Cancer Committee, American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2012-2015
• American Academy of Dermatology Presidential Citation Award, 2011
• Teacher of the Year, Dept. of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, 2009
• Teacher of the Year, Dept. of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, 2008
• National Institute of Health Ruth Kirchstein Research Service Award, 2005
• AOA Medical Honor Society, 2005
• American Skin Association, Melanoma Research Award, 2005
• Pochi Award for Excellence in Dermatology, Boston University, 2001
• Recipient of the 2019 Melanoma Research Foundation, Humanitarian Award
• Top Docs, Washingtonian, 2015-2020
• Top Doctors, Northern Virginia Magazine, 2018,-2019

Research & Publications

See selected publications

Blog Posts

Inova Dermatologist Brings Melanoma Awareness to Capitol Hill. June 7, 2018.

Raising Skin Cancer Awareness: Inova Dermatologist Joins Skin Cancer Health Fair & Screening on Capitol Hill. July 11, 2016.

Experts from Inova Schar Cancer Institute’s Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center Speak at Largest Annual Meeting of Dermatologists. March 16, 2016.

Inova Dermatologist Helps Local Students Win Sun-Shade Grant to Improve Sun Safety and Prevent Melanoma. February 3, 2016.

Former President Jimmy Carter: A Health Update. December 10, 2015.

Preventing Melanoma: Should You Drink More Coffee and Hold Off on the Viagra? September 1, 2015.

Jimmy Carter's Rare Cancer Diagnosis. August 27, 2015.

News Articles

Melanoma Stages: Prognosis, Survival Rates and Treatment. U.S. World News & World Report. October 11, 2019.

Immunotherapy for Melanoma. U.S. World News & World Report. October 17, 2019