Medical Director, Pediatric Kidney Transplantation, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

I am a pediatric nephrologist and kidney transplant specialist at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. I treat children with a variety of kidney conditions, from urinary tract infections to kidney failure, and help coordinate care for those in need of dialysis and kidney transplantation. This includes children born with problems in the kidneys and urinary tract, those with pediatric hypertension and acquired kidney disease, and very ill children who require renal replacement therapy in an intensive care setting.

I am very passionate about caring for children with chronic medical conditions who are in need of a transplant. Throughout my career, I have worked at three large transplant centers. It is an honor to care for these strong children and watch as they grow into amazing young adults, despite all the health hurdles they face.

I love pediatric nephrology because it combines physiology, pathology and pathophysiology, which makes my work fascinating every day.

At Memorial, we work as a team to provide and coordinate comprehensive care and support for children and their families. I always try to involve children in their own care, especially if they are living with a chronic illness that they have to deal with for the rest of their lives.

In addition to providing patient care, I am also involved in teaching and mentoring young physicians. Before teaching pediatric residents at Memorial, I taught at the East Virginia Medical School, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Jordan.

Hospital Affiliations

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
• Memorial Regional Hospital

Gender

• Female

Languages

• Arabic

Education

The University of Jordan, 1989

Residency

The University Of Texas Medical Branch, 1995, Pediatrics

Fellowships

The University Of Texas Medical Branch, 1998, Pediatric Nephrology

Certifications

American Board of Pediatrics-Pediatric Nephrology
American Board of Pediatrics-Pediatrics

Research

Throughout my career, I have studied Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, renal transplantation outcomes in children and critical nephrology.

Research projects have included: 

• Primary Investigator, Protocol K726-06-4003, A randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, multicenter, Parallel-Arm Study assessing the efficacy, safety and dose response of Ramipril for the treatment of Hypertension in children and adolescents (Tophat) site: 1036, January 2007-November 2007
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 034-9000-225 Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Trial. (UTHSCSA, Santa Rosa Clinic) 2004 –Aug 06.
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 956-9000-008 North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study (NAPRTCS) Substudy of Immunosuppressive Drug Cost for Renal Transplant Patients with Private Insurance. (UTHSCSA, Santa Rosa Clinic). April 1, 2004 –Aug 06.
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 023-900-312 (261A) A Dose-Ranging and Safety Study of Candesartan Cilexetil in Hypertensive Pediatric Subjects 6 to < 17 Years of Age: A 4-Week, Multinational, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Parallel-Group Study. (UTHSCSA, Santa Rosa Clinic) 2004 – Aug 06.
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 023-9000-313 (261B) Multicenter, Multinational, Open-Label Study of Efficacy, Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Candesartan Cilexetil in Hypertensive Pediatric Subjects 6 to < 17 Years of Age. (UTHSCSA, Santa Rosa Clinic) 2004 – Aug 06.
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 012-9000-330 (307B) A Study of A Safety and Tolerability of TOPROL-XL (metoprolol succinate) Extended-Release Tablets (metoprolol CR/XL) in Hypertensive Pediatric Subjects: A Multicenter, Open Label Extension of Protocol 307A. (UTHSCSA, Santa Rosa Clinic) 2003 – Aug 06. Closed to enrollment, 3 patients are active.
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 012-9000-329 (307A) A Study of Dose Ranging, Safety and Tolerability of TOPROL-XL (metoprolol succinate) Extended-Release Tablets (metoprolol CR/XL) in Hypertensive Pediatric Subjects: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Parallel Group Study. (UTHSCSA, Santa Rosa Clinic) 2003 –Aug 06.Closed to enrollment, seven patients completed.
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 990 9000 357 (SWO1) A Double-Blind, Randomized Trial of Steroid Withdrawal in Sirolimus- and Cyclosporine-Treated Primary Transplant Recipients. (UTHSCSA, UH, Santa Rosa Clinic) 2001-Aug 06.
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 001-9000-085 An Open-Label, Randomized, Non-Inferiority Study of Novel Erythropoiesis Stimulating Protein (NESP) and Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) for the Treatment of Anemia in Pediatric Subjects with Chronic Renal Insufficiency (CRI) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Receiving Dialysis. (UTHSCSA, UH, University Clinic, Santa Rosa Clinic) January 23, 2001. 2001-Aug 06. Closed to enrollment.
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 989-9000-114 An Open-Label Comparative Study of the Effect of Sirolimus Versus Standard Treatment Clinical Outcomes and Histologic Progression of Allograft Nephropathy in High Risk Pediatric Renal Transplant Patients. (UTHSCSA, UH, Santa Rosa Clinic). December 1, 1999. Closed to patient enrollment.
• Co-investigator, IRB Protocol # 956-9000-008 North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study (NAPRTCS) (UTHSCSA, UH, UHC-D, University Clinic, Santa Rosa Clinic). December 1, 1999-Aug 06. 

Professional Organizations

• American Society of Nephrology
• American Society of Pediatric Nephrology
• International Kidney Foundation
• American Academy of Pediatrics

Presentations

• Reem Raafat, Alok Kalia, Steven Diven, Luther Travis. High Dose Cyclosporin Treatment for Recurrent FSGS in Pediatric Renal Allografts. Presented at the 2001 ASN/ISN World Congress of Nephrology

Awards

• Faculty Teaching Award, awarded by EVMS medical school, 
  Pediatric Dept, 2008-2009
• Faculty Teaching Award, awarded by EVMS medical school, 
  Pediatric Dept, 2007-2008
• Best Subspecialist, awarded by Pediatric House Staff, June 2006
• Greatest Contribution to Her Field, awarded by Pediatric Residents, June 2005
• Most Enthusiastic Physician of the Year, awarded by Pediatric 
  Residents, June 2004
• Outstanding Sub-Specialist of the Year, awarded by Pediatric Residents, June 2003
• Best Presented Research, Department of Pediatrics, 1995