Rola Abi Saleh, MD

Rola Abi Saleh, MD

Assistant Professor

Department:
SOM-Medicine-GER

Email:
rabisaleh@umc.edu

Work Phone:
(601) 984-5610

Biography

Dr. Abi Saleh is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. As a geriatrician, she devotes her clinical time to serving the needs of older adults with multimorbidity, frailty, and cognitive impairment, with the goal of improving the health and quality of life of older adults using a shared decision-making model of patient-centered care. Her clinical responsibilities are mainly in the Memory Impairment and Neurodegenerative Dementia (MIND) Center clinic, where she evaluates and treat patients with cognitive complaints and dementia, and as a teaching attending on the Geriatric Medicine inpatient service. Her patient-centered research focuses on improving our understanding of risk factors for cognitive impairment and the clinical utility of imaging modalities to diagnose and treat patients with cognitive problems. She is currently a co-investigator and a cognitive status adjudicator in the PREVENTABLE study and a co-investigator in the New IDEAS study, and she uses her expertise to adjudicate cognitive status in two large cohorts, the MarkVCID Consortium and the privately funded UMMC MIND Center – Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

Education

University of Mississippi Medical Center, MD, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship2019
University of Mississippi Medical Center, MD, Internal Medicine Residency2018
University of Mississippi Medical Center, MD, Geriatrics Fellowship2015
Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, MD, Internal Medicine Residency2012
Saint Joseph University, MD, Medicine2008
Lebanese University, MS, Biology2001

Specialty Certification Licensure

Certification, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Board Certification, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine11/2022 - Present
Licensure, Mississippi State Board Of Medical Licensure07/2020 - Present
Certification, Geriatrics Board Certification, American Geriatrics Society10/2020 - Present
Certification, Internal Medicine Board Certification, American College of Physicians/ Internal Medicine08/2019 - Present

Current Positions

Assistant Professor, School of Medicine2020 - Present
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi 39216

Sponsored Program Funding

Intramural, UMMC MIND Center – Mayo Clinic Study Of Aging(SOA), Private funding04/2023 - Present
Extramural, PRagmatic EValuation of evENTs And Benefits of Lipid-lowering in oldEr Adults (PREVENTABLE), National Institute of Health02/2023 - Present
Extramural, New IDEAS: Imaging Dementia — Evidence for Amyloid ScanningStudy: A Study to Improve Precision in AmyloidPET Coverage and Patient Care, American College of Radiology02/2022 - Present
Extramural, MarkVCID Consortium, National Institues of Health through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and National Institute of Aging09/2021 - Present
Extramural, PRagmatic EValuation of evENTs And Benefits of Lipid-lowering in oldEr Adults (PREVENTABLE), National Institute of Health09/2020 - Present

Publications

QI Project

Rola Abi Saleh, Zachary Pippin QI Project: Identifying Surrogate Decision Makers in the ICU Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, June 20192019
Rola Abi Saleh, Frankie K. Pedigo, W. Fowler Joiner, Rebecca E. Browning, Amanda Clark. QI Project: The Pause: Encouraging Debriefing after an Unsuccessful Code. Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, June 20182018
Majors Lance, Bui Elizabeth, Clark Jeb, Abi Saleh Rola., Mena LA. QI Project: HIV Screening: A Quality Measure. Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, June 20172017
Nikki N. Cager, Lynsey M. Rothenburger, Rola Abi Saleh, Joel T. Shores, Samuel C. Thigpen. QI Project: Evaluation of the Efficiency of Outpatient Abnormal Lab Follow-up and Documentation in a Resident Educational Program. Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, June 20162016
Rola Abi Saleh, Scott Gibson Qi Project: Preventing Post-Operative Delirium. Division of Geriatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 2014-20152015

Journal Article

Abi Saleh R, Lirette ST, Benjamin EJ, Fornage M, Turner ST, Hammond PI, Mosley TH, Griswold ME, Windham BG, Mediation effects of diabetes and inflammation on the relationship of obesity to cognitive impairment in African Americans. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2022 Oct;70(10):3021-30292022
Irani C, Saleh RA, Jammal M, Haddad F, High-dose sublingual immunotherapy in patients with uncontrolled allergic rhinitis sensitized to pollen: a real-life clinical study. International forum of allergy & rhinology, 2014 Oct;4(10):802-72014
Haddad F, Jammal M, Chehwane D, Abi Saleh R, Koussa S, [Gait instability revealing a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion associated to pregabalin]. La Revue de medecine interne, 2012 Nov;33(11):e49-512012

Abstracts

R. Abi Saleh, S. Lirette, D. Su, S. E. Kerut, S.T. Turner, E. J Benjamin, M. Fornage, T.H Mosely, M. Grisworld, B.G Windham Interrelationships of incident cognitive impairment with adiposity, Leptin, sTNF R2 and diabetes in African American Journal of American Geriatrics Society, Volume 66, Supplement 2, May 2018, B1272018
S.E Kerut, S.Lirette, R. Abi Saleh, S.T. Turner, E. J Benjamin, M. Fornage, T.H Mosely, M. Griswold, B.G Windham CAIDE Risk Score Prediction of short-Term Incident Cognitive Impairment in African Americans. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, Volume 66, Supplement 2, May 2018, D1062018
R. Abi Saleh, S. Lirette, M. Grisworld, A Surles, S.T. Turner, E. J Benjamin, M. Fornage, T.H Mosely, B.G Windham Interrelationships of cognition with adiposity, Leptin, TNF R2 and Clinical disease in African Americans Journal of American Geriatrics Society, Volume 65, supplement 1 May 2017, B1852017
R. Abi Saleh, S. Lirette, M. Grisworld, A Surles, S.T. Turner, E. J Benjamin, M. Fornage, T.H Mosely, B.G Windham Longitudinal relations of adiposity to brain structure in African American with prevalent cardiovascular risk factors. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, Volume 64, supplement 1, May 2016, B1222016
2-R. Abi Saleh, S. Lirette, J. Elisson, M. Wright, A. Cleinman Nutrition, or nutrition and exercise? a systematic review of interventions in frail elderly people. Journal of American Geriatrics Society Volume 63, supplement 1, April 2015, A1242015
R. Abi Saleh, Y. Elias, R. Kallab, R. Noun, G. Maalouly, A. Tohme La maladie du kyste hydatique au Liban: à propos de 112 cas La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 2, December 2012, Page A1222012
G. Maalouly, L. Abdo, R. Abi Saleh Karam, R. Azzam, F. Haddad Un cas d’une encéphalopathie autoimmune cortico-sensible. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 2, December 2012, Page A1132012
D. Chahwan, G. Maalouly, R. Abi Saleh, M. Jammal, L. Serhal, L. Abdo, R. Azzam, N. Hokayem, O Nahas, S. Abou Nakad, F. Haddad. Silicone et fièvre prolongée inexpliquée. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 2, December 2012, Page A1522012
D. Chahwan, G. Maalouly, N. Hokayem, R. Abi Saleh, M. Jammal, L. Abdo, L. Serhal, R. Azzam, S. Abou Nakad, S. Koussa, A. Tohme Un syndrome pseudobulbaire et une ganglionopathie sensitive dévoilant un syndrome de Gougerot-Sjögren chez une patiente sclérodermique La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 2, December 2012, Page A1072012
F. Haddad, R. Abi Saleh, R. Azzam, L. Abdo, D. Chehwan, Syndrome catastrophique des antiphospholipides : série monocentrique rétrospective de 3 patientes. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 32, Supplement 2, December 2011, Pages S408-S4092012
R. Abi Saleh, G. Maalouly, D. Karam Sarkis, M. Riachi, A. Tohme Fièvre au long cours secondaire à Mycobacterium chelonae. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 1, June 2012, Page S1352012
F. Haddad, R. Abi Saleh, M. Jammal, D. Chahwan, L. Serhal, N. Hokayem, G. Maalouly Une aplasia médullaire révélatrice d’un syndrome de Sheehan. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 1, June 2012, Page S1942012
F. Haddad, G. Maalouly, L. Abdo, D. Chahwan, R. Abi Saleh Karam, L. Serhal Varices ectopiques iléales associées à une cirrhose biliaire primitive causant un saignement foudroyant. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 1, June 2012, Pages S171-S1722012
G. Maalouly, D. Chahwan, M. Jammal, R. Abi Saleh, L. Serhal, L. Abdo, N. Hokayem, R. Abi Saleh, N.Hokayem, R. Moussa, R. Nasnas, F. Haddad Méningite à Pseudomonas aeruginosa répondant à l’amikacine intraventriculaire. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 1, June 2012, Page S1372012
F. Haddad, D. Chahwan, G. Maalouly, M. Jammal, R. Abi Saleh, L. Serhal, L. Abdo, R. Azzam, N.Hokayem, F. Nasr, E. Helou, S. Koussa Une mononévrite multiplex due à un lymphoma lymphoplasmacytique répondant aux immunoglobulines intraveineuses. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 1, June 2012, Pages S181-S1822012
F. Haddad, D. Chahwan, G. Maalouly, M. Jammal, R. Abi Saleh, L. Serhal, R. Azzam, L. Abdo, N.Hokayem, G. Dabar. Une tétraparésie révélant une paralysie périodique hypokalémique thyréotoxique La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 1, June 2012, Page S1822012
F. Haddad, R. Abi Saleh, D. Chahwan, L. Abdo, R. Azzam, G. Maalouly Évaluation de la fatigue après traitement par fer intraveineux chez des patientes hypoferritinémiques non anémiques: à propos de cinquante-quatre cas. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 33, Supplement 1, June 2012, Page S522012
F. Haddad, R. Abi Saleh, G. Maalouly, D. Chehwan, M. Saba, A. Haddad Surdité auto-immune: à propos de neuf cas. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 32, Supplement 1, June 2011, Page S1132011
F. Haddad, R. Abi Saleh, G. Maalouly, M. Jammal, A. Haddad. Surdite neurosensorielle au cours de la maladie de still. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 32, Supplement 1, June 2011, Pages S114-S1152011
F. Haddad, M. Jammal, G. Maalouly, R. Abi Saleh, D. Chehwane, S. Koussa «B12 normal» associée à des troubles cognitifs: mythe ou réalité? La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 32, Supplement 1, June 2011, Page S932011
C. Irani, R. Abi Saleh, M. Jammal, F. Haddad Efficacy of High-dose Sublingual Immunotherapy in Patients Allergic to Pollen in Real-life Clinical Practice. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 127, Issue 2, Supplement, February 2011, Page AB502011
F. Haddad, G. Asmar, M. Jammal, S. Anouti, R. Nemnoum, G. Maalouly, R. Abi Saleh, S. Koussa. Un syndrome cérébelleux révélant une encéphalomyélite aiguë disséminée associé à des anticorps antiphospholipides. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 31, Supplement 1, June 2010, Pages S158-S1592010
F. Haddad, G. Asmar, G. Maalouly, R. Abi Saleh, M. Jammal, S. Anouti, G. Badawi Angor instable révélant une coronarite et une aortite chez un patient ayant une fièvre méditerranéenne familiale. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 30, Supplement 4, December 2009, Page S4612009
A.Tohmé, R. Abi Saleh, M. Jammal, E. Ghayad. La maladie de Behçet au Liban: à propos de 180 cas La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 30, Supplement 4, December 2009, Page S3242009
F. Haddad, A. Gerard, R. Nemnoum, R. Abi Saleh, G. Maalouly, N. Maacaroun. Masse médiastinale révélant une amyloïdose systémique. La Revue de Médecine Interne, Volume 29, Supplement 3, December 2008, Page S3492008

Presentations

Poster Presentation, Interrelationships of incident cognitive impairment with adiposity, Leptin, sTNF R2 and diabetes in African American, American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida05/2018
Poster Presentation, CAIDE Risk Score Prediction of short-Term Incident Cognitive Impairment in African Americans, American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida05/2018
Poster Presentation, Interrelationships of cognition with adiposity, Leptin, TNF R2 and Clinical disease in African Americans, American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas05/2017
Poster Presentation, A common thread: Hemochromatosis presenting with DKA and NSTEMI, ACP abstract day, Jackson, MS10/2016
Poster Presentation, Longitudinal relations of adiposity to brain structure in African American with prevalent cardiovascular risk factors, American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, Long Beach, California05/2016
Poster Presentation, Nutrition, or nutrition and exercise? a systematic review of interventions in frail elderly people, American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, Washington, DC05/2015
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Vaccination in Immunocompromised Patients, Annual Congress of the Lebanese Society of Internal Medicine03/2012
Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Subclinical Thyroid Disorders, Annual Congress of the Lebanese Society of Internal Medicine03/2011

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

Spirit of the Program Award, University of Mississippi Medical Center2018
Best resident of the month, University of Mississippi Medical Center2017
Highest score in the final exam of Internal Medicine Residency, Hotel Dieu De France2011

Professional Membership and Service

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Member2019 - 2020
American College of Physician, Member, I have served as a poster session judge for the ACP abstract Day.2015 - 2019
American Geriatrics Society, Member, Since my fellowship, I have been involved with the American Geriatric Society and attended the national meeting annually. I have also had five poster presentations at the annual national AGS conference.2014 - Present
Lebanese Order of Physicians, Member2008 - Present

Committee Service

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE-ADMISSIONS FILE REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE, Member2024 - Present
PREVENTABLE Adjudication Committee, Member2023 - Present
SOA Adjudication Committee, Member2022 - Present
Geriatrics Fellowship Program Evaluation Committee, Member2020 - Present
Geriatrics Fellowship Clinical Competency Committee, Member2020 - Present

Community Service

Caregiver University: A Palliative Care Approach to the End of Life, Invited Speaker02/2024 - Present
Saint Catherine 'village caregiver support group, One time seminar on end of life concerns, palliative care, hospice.10/2023 - 10/2023
Broadmoor Baptist Church Caregiver Support Group, One time seminar for caregivers of dementia patients on end of life issues.02/2020 - 02/2020
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group, Facilitator2020 - Present
Jackson Free Clinic, Volunteer physician01/2016 - 2019
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group, Facilitator08/2014 - 08/2015

Other Service

Grant review10/2024 - Present
Journal of Public Health in the Deep South, Ad Hoc Reviewer07/2024 - Present

Teaching Experience

Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Core Curriculum Conference: GI in older adultsWinter 2024 - 2024
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Core Curriculum Conference: Palliative CareSummer 2024 - 2024
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Core Curriculum Conference: Oncology in older adultsSpring 2024 - 2024
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Core Curriculum Conference: Palliative CareSpring 2024 - 2024
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Clinical Case Conference: Elder abuseSummer 2024 - 2024
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Core Curriculum Conference: Hematology in older adultsFall 2023 - 2023
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Core Curriculum Conference: Geriatric preventive careFall 2023 - 2023
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, GRS: Hematology in older adultsWinter 2021 - 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, GRS: Diabetes in older adultsSpring 2021 - 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, GRS: Oncology in older adultsSpring 2021 - 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, GRS: GI in older adultsSummer 2021 - 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Urinary incontinenceSpring 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Journal Club, Early Rhythm-Control Therapy in Patients with Atrial FibrillationSpring 2021
Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, M3 BootcampSpring 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Clinical Case: Fat embolismSummer 2021 - 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Journal Club: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of combined escitalopram and memantine for older adults with major depression and subjective memory complaintSummer 2021 - 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, GRS: Screening and preventionFall 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Core Curriculum Conference: HematologyWinter 2020 - 2023
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Journal Club, Effect of the Goals of Care Intervention for Advanced Dementia: A Randomized Clinical TrialWinter 2018
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Endocrine disorders in older adultsFall 2018
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, DeliriumWinter 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, DementiaWinter 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Geriatrics PharmacotherapyWinter 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Clinical Case Conference, Pseudobulbar EffectWinter 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Clinical Case Conference, Vitamin B12 DeficiencySpring 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Clinical Case Conference, Amiodarone ToxicitiesSummer 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Clinical Case Conference, OSA and CognitionSummer 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Journal Club, Effect of Citalopram on Agitation in Alzheimer Disease The CitAD Randomized Clinical TrialSummer 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Clinical Case Conference, StrokeSummer 2014
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Clinical Case Conference, Opioid Induced HyperalgesiaWinter 2014

Directed Student Learning

Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Madeline Griffin2024 - 2023
Preceptor, Advised: Meg Walker2024 - Present
Preceptor, Advised: Andie Cleveland2024 - Present
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Alyssa Rondinelli2024 - 2024
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Shade Smith2024 - 2024
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Mason Gardner2023 - 2023
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Carolyn Doherty2023 - 2023
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: William Windham2023 - 2023
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Mary Helen Haygood2023 - 2023
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Mary Grace Shepherd2023 - 2023
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Elelia Phillips2022 - 2022
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Amy Mcdonald2022 - 2022
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Katelyn Brock2022 - 2022
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Ally Elliott2022 - 2022
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Jana Taylor2022 - 2022
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Georgia Gibson2022 - 2022
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Elizabeth Gilley2022 - 2022
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Caroline Gracie Hoggard2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Aubrey Smyly2021 - 2021
Preceptor, Advised: Connor Bluntson2021 - 2022
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Tiffany Anderson2021 - 2022
Preceptor, Advised: James Prides2021 - 2022
Preceptor, Advised: James Ahlrich2021 - 2022
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Jennifer Ware2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Anna Bicker2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Kierra Jones2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Yasmeen Abdo2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Joshua Smith2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Zach Klopman2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Gerri Wilson2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Rachel Myers2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Louise Berryhill Stewart2021 - 2021
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Hankins Michael2020 - 2020
Preceptor, Advised: Taylor Ferris2019 - 2020
Preceptor, Advised: Helena Qu2019 - 2020
Preceptor, Advised: Catherine Jameson2018 - 2019
Preceptor, Advised: Rose Joachim2018 - 2019
Preceptor2008 - 2012

Fellows supervised

Geriatric Fellowship Program, Attending Physician, 2 fellows supervised07/2023 - Present
Geriatric Fellowship Program, Attending Physician, 1 fellows supervised07/2021 - 09/2022
Geriatric Fellowship Program, Attending Physician, 1 fellows supervised07/2021 - 06/2022
Geriatric Fellowship Program, Attending Physician, 2 fellows supervised07/2020 - 06/2021

Residency Training

Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2024 - 01/2024
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2023 - 11/2023
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2023 - 09/2023
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2023 - 02/2023
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2022 - 11/2022
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2022 - 07/2022
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2021 - 10/2021
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2021 - 09/2021
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2021 - 07/2021
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2021 - 02/2021
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2020 - 01/2021
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2020 - 11/2020
Internal Medicine Residency Program, Geriatrics Inpatient Service, Attending Physician2020 - Present