Simon Karam, MD

Simon Karam, MD

Associate Professor

Department:
SOM-Peds-Neonatology

Email:
skaram@umc.edu

Work Phone:
(601) 984-5259

Biography

Dr. Simon Karam graduated from the Lebanese University Faculty of Medical Sciences in 2002. He completed Pediatrics Residency at Saint George Hospital University Medical Center affiliated to Balamand University in Beirut in 2006. He came to the United States in 2008 and finished a Pediatrics Residency and a Fellowship in Neonatology at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. In 2013, he joined the faculty of University of Mississippi Medical Center as a neonatologist. He serves as the chair of the NICU Guidelines Committee where he is in charge of developing guidelines to standardize the practice in the NICU at UMMC. He also serves as chair and member of multiple other committees in the NICU and in the School of Medicine. He serves as a site Principal Investigator of multiple NIH studies and clinical trials.

Education

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, MD, Pediatrics2013
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, MD, Neonatology2011
Balamand University, Beirut, Lebanon, MD, Pediatrics2006
Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon, MD, Medicine2002

Specialty Certification Licensure

Certification, American Board of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine04/2016 - Present
Certification, American Board of Pediatrics10/2014 - Present
Licensure, Mississippi State Medical License, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure05/2013 - Present
Certification, Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS06/2011 - 05/2014
Certification, Neonatal Resuscitation Program NRP09/2010 - Present
Licensure, Virginia Medical License, Training/Temporary06/2008 - 06/2013
Certification, ECFMG10/2006

Current Positions

Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics07/2018 - Present
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi 39216

Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments

Assistant Professor, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics08/2013 - 06/2018
Pediatric Hospitalist, Trad Hospital and Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon, School of07/2006 - 03/2008
Lieutenant Physician, Medical Center Presidental Palace in Lebanon, School of08/2003 - 08/2004

Sponsored Program Funding

Extramural, Intravenous Remodulin (Treprostinil) as Add-on Therapy for the Treatment of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Safety and Efficacy Study, United Therapeutics11/2020 - 08/2023
Extramural, Safety of Sildenafil in Premature Infants at Risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Pediatric Trial Tetwork01/2020 - 05/2022
Extramural, Premature Infants Receiving Milking or Delayed Cord Clamping: Randomized Controlled Multicenter Non-Inferiority Trial: PREMOD2, Sharp Healthcare Foundation11/2019 - Present
Extramural, A Phase 2A, 2-Part, Open-Label, Non-Randomized, Multicenter, Single and Multiple Dose Trial to Evaluate Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Tolerability of Ceftazidime and Avibactam in Neonates and Infants From Birth to Less Than 3 Months of Age With Suspected or Confirmed Infections Due to Gram-Negative Pathogens Requiring Intravenous Antibiotic Treatment, Pfizer09/2019 - 07/2022
Extramural, A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of the Efficacy and Safety of DigiFab® in Antepartum Subjects with Severe Preeclampsia, Velo Bio, LLC05/2017 - 10/2018
Extramural, A multinational, multicenter, masked, randomized, controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of Lucinactant for inhalation in preterm neonates 26 to 32 weeks gestational age with respiratory distress syndrome, Windtree Therapeutics, Inc05/2016 - 05/2017

Publications

Letter

Karam SE, Haddad J, Abou Charaf C, Saliba Z, Chehab G, Hatem J, [Pericardial effusion in the neonate: a complication of umbilical catheters]. Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie, 2003 Jun;10(6):550-12003

Randomized Controlled Trial

Katheria A, Szychowski J, Carlo WA, Subramaniam A, Reister F, Essers J, Vora F, Martin C, Schmölzer GM, Law B, Dempsey E, O'Donoghue K, Kaempf J, Tomlinson M, Fulford K, Folsom B, Karam S, Morris R, Yanowitz T, Beck S, Clark E, DuPont T, Biniwale M, Ramanathan R, Bhat S, Hoffman M, Chouthai N, Bany-Mohammed F, Mydam J, Narendran V, Wertheimer F, Gollin Y, Vaucher Y, Arnell K, Varner M, Cutter G, Wilson N, Rich W, RRT, Finer N, Umbilical Cord Milking Versus Delayed Cord Clamping in Infants 28 to 32 Weeks: A Randomized Trial. Pediatrics, 2023 Dec 1;152(6)2023

Journal Article

Rozycki HJ, Bradley J, Karam S, sRAGE Is Elevated in the Lungs of Premature Infants Receiving Mechanical Ventilation. American journal of perinatology, 2017 Jul;34(9):911-9172017
Astoria MT, Karam SE, Moores RR Jr, Rozycki HJ, Cardiac Troponin Levels in Neonates Who Require ECMO for Noncardiac Indications Are Elevated in Nonsurvivors. American journal of perinatology, 2015 Jul;32(9):859-642015
Kamel R, Achou R, Karam SE Pyomyositis Revue Médicale Libanaise. 2005 Apr; 17(2): 832005

Abstracts

Nelin S, Karam S, Desai J, Foglia E, Turk P, Peddireddy V Does the Use of an Automated Resuscitation Recorder Improve Adherence to Neonatal Resuscitation Program Algorithms and Code Documentation? Poster presented at the Southern Society for Pediatric Research; New Orleans, Louisiana, February 22-24,2024 and at the Pediatric Academic Society Annual Meeting; Toronto, Canada, 2024 May 2-62024
Premature infants 28-32 weeks receiving umbilical cord milking or delayed cord clamping: A Randomized non-inferiority trial Poster presented at the Pediatric Academia Society Annual Meeting; Washington, D.C., 2023 April 27 - May 12023
Desai J; Patel J; Kalikkot R; Karam S; Johnson M; Agarwal P; Savich R; Famuyide M; Bhatt A. Preterm Clinical Comorbidity Index: A Novel Scoring System and Modeling for Predicting Length of Stay among Preterm Infants during Birth Hospitalization Poster presented at the Pediatric Academic Society Annual Meeting; Toronto, Canada, 2018 May 5-82018
Frost S, Stegall A, Desai J, Narang R, Johnson M, Tipnis S, Ashraf M, Bhatt A, Driver K, Famuyide M, Karam S, Kosek M, Patel J, Savich R Breathe Easy: A Quality Improvement Project to Increase the Use of Non-invasive Ventilation in
VLBW Infants
Platform presentation at The Vermont Oxford Network Annual Congress; Chicago, IL, 2016 Sept 9-12
2016
Rozycki HJ, Bradley J, Karam S sRAGE Is Elevated in the Lungs of Premature Infants Receiving Mechanical Ventilation Poster presented at the American Thoracic Society 2016 International Conference; San Francisco, Ca, 2016 May 13-182016
Dhillon S, Karam S, Jacks SK, El Feghaly R Rare Primary Cutaneous Aspergillosis in Critically Ill Neonate Poster session presented at the 74th Annual American Academy of Dermatology Meeting; Washington, D.C, 2016 March 4-72016
Karam S, Kosek MA, Wyatt-Ashmead J, Ojeda N Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection: A Retrospective Observational Study Poster Presented at the Pediatric Academic Society Annual Meeting; San Diego, CA, 2015 April 25-282015
Karam S, Hendricks-Muñoz K, Xu J, Rozycki H Multiplex Cytokine Analysis From Tracheal Aspirates in ELBW Infants: Relationship to Ventilation and Interaction Poster Presented at the Pediatric Academic Society Annual Meeting; Washington, DC, 2013 May 4-72013
Astoria M, Karam S, Magill C, Moores R, Rozycki H Cardiac-Specific Troponin as a Predictor of Outcome in Neonatal ECMO Poster presented at the Pediatric Academic Society Annual Meeting; Boston, MA, 2012 April 28 - May 12012
Chacar HR, Salame P, Hajje, MJ, Karam SK, Iskandar C, Taoum K, Hachem Z, Oueiss R, Karam SE Obésité des adolescents des écoles privées au Liban Poster presented at the Congrès National de la Société Française de Pédiatrie, Paris, France, 2005 June 1-42005
Chacar H, Salame P, Hajje M, Iskandar C, Oueiss R, Karam S Nutrition and Low Prevalence of Obesity Among Adolescents in Lebanese Private Schools Poster presented at the Third World Congress of Perinatal Medicine in Developing Countries; Beirut, Lebanon, 2004 May 20-212004

Presentations

ECMO Bootcamp 2023, Neonatal ECMO circuit, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS11/2023
ECMO bootcamp, Neonatal ECMO physiology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS02/2023
NICU Division Conference, Shock in Neonates, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS07/2017
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS07/2017
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS05/2017
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS03/2017
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS01/2017
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS09/2016
Institutional Seminars, Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Medical v/s Surgical treatment, NICU and Pediatric Surgery divisions at UMMC, Jackson, MS02/2016
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS09/2015
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Update on NRP and Delivery Room Resuscitation, Greenwood Leflore Hospital, Greenwood, MS09/2015
State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Cooling Treatment, Oktibbeha County Hospital, Starkville, MS08/2015
Case Management Conference for the Department of Pediatrics, Rash in Newborns, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS08/2015
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS07/2015
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS06/2015
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS05/2015
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS03/2015
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS02/2015
NICU Division Conference, Bubble CPAP, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS01/2015
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Neonatal Intrathoracic masses, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS01/2015
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS12/2014
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS12/2014
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Rhombencephalosynapsis, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS10/2014
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Omphalocele, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS09/2014
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Aplasia Cutis Congenita, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS08/2014
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Subgaleal Hemorrhage, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS07/2014
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Rhabdomyoma, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS06/2014
Case Management Conference for the Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Herpes, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS06/2014
NICU Division Conference, Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS04/2014
NICU Conference, NICU Mortality and Morbidity, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS03/2014
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Multiple Gestations, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS02/2014
NICU Division Conference, PRBC Transfusion in Neonates, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS02/2014
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Congenital Myopathies, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS01/2014
Neonatal Clinical Pathology Conference, Kernicterus, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS12/2013
Resident Lecture, Hypertension in Children, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA03/2013
Resident Lecture, Inherited Colorectal Cancer Syndromes, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA03/2013
Resident Lecture, Rabies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA12/2012
Resident Lecture, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Arthritis in Children, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA11/2012
Resident Lecture, Snake Bite in Children, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA08/2012
Resident Lecture, Pancreatitis in Children, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA06/2012
Resident Lecture, Polycythemia in the Newborn, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA05/2012
Resident Lecture, Pulmonary Emboli in Children, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA03/2012
Resident Lecture, Peritoneal Dialysis in Neonates, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA2012
Resident Lecture, Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA11/2011
NICU Conference, Kidneys and Urinary Tract Disorders in Neonates, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA05/2011
NICU Conference, The Immune System in Neonates, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA09/2010
NICU Conference, Perinatal Infections, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA02/2010
NICU Conference, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA09/2009
NICU Conference, Intraventricular Hemorrhage and Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA04/2009
NICU Conference, Ethics in Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA2009

Honors, Awards, and Recognition

Faculty of the Year Outstanding Inpatient Service, Department of Pediatrics University of Mississippi Medical Center2023
Excellence in War Time Service Award, Lebanese Red Cross
Nominated for Best Resident for the academic year 2005-2006, Balamand University, Beirut, Lebanon

Professional Membership and Service

Mississippi State Medical Association, Member2014 - 2016
American Academy of Pediatrics, Member2011 - Present

Committee Service

The NICU LOS Committee, Member2023 - Present
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE-ADMISSIONS FILE REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE, Member2023 - Present
Neonatology Grand Round, Moderator2022 - Present
Pediatric M&M Committee, Task Force Member2017 - 2018
NICU Committee for Guidelines and Protocols, Chair2017 - Present
Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity Committee, Chair2016 - Present
Unit Practice Council Committee, Member2013 - 2019
Neonatal Resuscitation Oversight Committee, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Member2012 - 2013
Neonatology Fellowship Planning Committee, Member

Community Service

Community Outreach Program, I was invited to present a lecture titled “Update on NRP and Delivery Room Resuscitation" to the NICU team in Greenwood Leflore Hospital09/2015 - 09/2015
Community Outreach Program, I was invited to present a lecture titled "Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Cooling Treatment” to the NICU team in Oktibbeha County Hospital08/2015 - 08/2015
The Lebanese Red Cross, Volunteer Pediatrician07/2005 - 07/2006

Teaching Experience

Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents lecture SeriesAnnual 2024
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, NICU guidelines conferenceAnnual 2024
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2024
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents lecture SeriesAnnual 2023
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, NICU guidelines conferenceAnnual 2023
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2023
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, Modes of VentilationSummer 2023 - 2023
Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, ECMO BootcampFall 2023 - 2023
Medicine, Small Group, Lecturer, ECMO BootcampWinter 2023 - 2023
Medicine, Lab, Lab Presenter, Annual NICU Bootcamp for High Risk Low Volume ProceduresSummer 2023 - 2023
Medicine, Course, Preceptor, Neonatal Resuscitation Program CertificationAnnual 2023
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents lecture SeriesAnnual 2022
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, NICU guidelines conferenceAnnual 2022
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2022
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Clinical Pathology ConferenceAnnual 2022
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, Modes of VentilationWinter 2022 - 2022
Nursing, Small Group, Lecturer, NICU RN Bootcamp: PPHN and Advanced modes of VentilationFall 2022 - 2022
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Faculty lecture on Apnea and RDSWinter 2022 - 2022
Medicine, Course, Preceptor, Neonatal Resuscitation Program CertificationAnnual 2022
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents lecture SeriesAnnual 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, NICU guidelines conferenceAnnual 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Faculty lecture on white cell disorderWinter 2021 - 2021
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents lecture SeriesAnnual 2020
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, NICU guidelines conferenceAnnual 2020
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2020
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Case ConferenceSpring 2020 - 2020
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents lecture SeriesAnnual 2019
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, NICU guidelines conferenceAnnual 2019
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2019
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents lecture SeriesAnnual 2018
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, NICU guidelines conferenceAnnual 2018
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2018
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, O2 and VentilationWinter 2018 - 2018
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, NICU guidelines conferenceAnnual 2017
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, Nurse Practitioners Lecture SeriesAnnual 2017
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents lecture SeriesAnnual 2017
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, Nurses Lecture SeriesAnnual 2017
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2017
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Clinical Pathology ConferenceAnnual 2017
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, O2 and VentilationSpring 2017 - 2017
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, O2 and VentilationSummer 2017 - 2017
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Upper Airway Malformations and BPDWinter 2017 - 2017
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents Lecture SeriesAnnual 2016 - 2016
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, Nurses Lecture SeriesAnnual 2016 - 2016
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2016 - 2016
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Clinical Pathology ConferenceAnnual 2016 - 2016
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Maternal Fetal Medicine ConferenceSummer 2016 - 2016
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Faculty Lecture on Congenital Heart DiseaseSummer 2016 - 2016
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents Lecture SeriesAnnual 2015 - 2015
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, Nurses Lecture SeriesAnnual 2015 - 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2015 - 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Clinical Pathology ConferenceAnnual 2015 - 2015
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Morbidity & Mortality ConferenceAnnual 2014 - 2014
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Clinical Pathology ConferenceAnnual 2014 - 2014
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents Lecture SeriesAnnual 2014 - 2014
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, Nurses Lecture SeriesAnnual 2014 - 2014
Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Residents Lecture SeriesFall 2013 - 2013
Nursing, Lecture, Lecturer, Nurses Lecture SeriesFall 2013 - 2013
Medicine, Lecture, Course Director, Neonatal Case ConferenceAnnual 2013

Directed Student Learning

Research Advisor, The Importance of Endotracheal Tube Position: A Quality Improvement Study
Advised: Jakayla Harrell
2014 - 2014
Supervised Teaching Activity, Advised: Peyton Thigpen, Abby Davidson, Shanesse Spratt, Jessica Walker, Darrius Williams, Joshua Roque, Emily Lewis, Anestasia Mosby, William Sistrunk, Ariel Wilson, Emily Cobb, Logan Havard, William Smith2013 - Present

Fellows supervised

Neonatal Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program, Research Advisor, 0 fellows supervised07/2022 - 06/2024
Faculty Advisory Committee Chair and Mentor- Dr Rhada Alur, My role is to serve as the chair of the faculty member's faculty advisory committee. The chair is responsible for establishing a committee of 3 members that will support the faculty's professional growth and development. The chair is also responsible for leading and ensuring annual follow up with faculty as he/she maintains a Career Development Plan that is in line with individual professional goals and the overarching UMMC vision., 0 fellows supervised08/2020 - 09/2022
Faculty Advisory Committee Chair and Mentor- Dr Sandra "Mable" Camacho Gomez, My role is to serve as the chair of the faculty member's faculty advisory committee. The chair is responsible for establishing a committee of 3 members that will support the faculty's professional growth and development. The chair is also responsible for leading and ensuring annual follow up with faculty as he/she maintains a Career Development Plan that is in line with individual professional goals and the overarching UMMC vision., 0 fellows supervised08/2020 - 02/2024
Neonatal-Perinatal Fellowship, Attending Physician, 1 fellows supervised01/2015 - 06/2015
Neonatal Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program, Training Faculty, 16 fellows supervised

Residency Training

Pediatric Resident NICU Rotation, Training Faculty2013 - Present