Mervat Nassef, MD
Overview
Dr. Mervat Nassef is a Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC). She received her B.A., magna cum laude, and her MD at New York University. She went on to do her residency in Pediatrics at the New York University Medical Center, and her fellowship in Allergy & Immunology at Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons. After fellowship, she spent 2 years in Hong Kong where she was involved in teaching medical residents about allergies and asthma. Upon her return to New York, she joined the faculty of the Allergy & Immunology Division at CUMC. Her goal is to provide the highest quality, individualized patient care. She has a special interest in food allergies, environmental allergies and asthma.
Because of her love for teaching, Dr. Nassef took on the role of Director of Resident and Medical Student Education in the Allergy/Immunology Division, in which she was responsible for coordinating the activities of students and residents who rotate through the Division. She has also been active in giving grand rounds and teaching conferences in area hospitals and writing publications on various topics in allergy, including co-authoring the textbook: Allergies and Adolescence: Transitioning Toward Independent Living. Stukus D, editor. Springer. She has presented some of her work at the annual international meetings of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Dr. Nassef served as Chair of the Women’s Health Committee, the Population Health Committee at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and the Clinical Programs/Patient Safety and Quality Committee at the ACAAI. She was selected to Chair the ACAAI Education Council, a top-level leadership role in which she is led the development of the Education Strategy of the College and overseeing its implementation. She has helped develop educational resources for physicians worldwide. She volunteers her time by conducting free asthma screenings in her local community. She was chosen as one of The New York Times Magazine Top Doctors every year since 2012. She received the ACAAI Woman in Allergy Award in 2021 and the Castle Connolly's Exceptional Women in Medicine award in 2023.
Areas of Expertise / Conditions Treated
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Allergic Rhinosinusitis
- Allergy
- Allergy/Allergies
- Allergy and Asthma Management
- Allergy Evaluation and Treatment
- Allergy Testing
- Asthma
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Chronic Cough
- Disorder of Nasal Sinus
- Eczema
- Food Allergy
- Hives
- Insect Allergy
- Ocular Allergy
- Pediatric Allergy
- Pediatric Food Allergy
- Pediatric Sinusitis
- Sinus & Allergy Treatment
- Sinus and Allergy Treatment
- Sinus Disease
- Sinus Disorder
- Sinusitis
- Urticaria
Academic Appointments
- Professor of Pediatrics at CUMC
Administrative Titles
- Director of Resident and Medical Student Education, Pediatric Allergy & Immunology elective, Columbia University Medical Center
- member of the Allergy/Immunology Program Evaluation Committee, fellowship program, Columbia University
Hospital Affiliations
- NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
Languages
- Arabic
Gender
- Female
Schedule an Appointment
Virtual Visits/Telehealth
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Phone Appointments
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Location(s)
Insurance Accepted
Aetna
- Aetna Signature Administrators
- EPO
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- NYP Employee Plan
- NY Signature
- POS
- PPO
- Student Health
Affinity Health Plan
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
Amida Care
- Special Needs
Cigna
- EPO
- Great West (National)
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
Emblem/GHI
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Emblem/HIP
- ConnectiCare
- EPO
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
- Select Care (Exchange)
- Vytra
Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- EPO
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
Fidelis Care
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
Healthfirst
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Leaf (Exchange)
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
Local 1199
- Local 1199
MagnaCare (National)
- MagnaCare
Medicare
- Railroad
- Traditional Medicare
Multiplan
- Multiplan
MVP Health Care
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid Managed Care
Quality Health Management
- Quality Health Management
UnitedHealthcare
- Columbia University Employee Plan
- Compass (Exchange)
- Empire Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid (Community Plan)
- Medicare Managed Care
- Oxford Freedom
- Oxford HMO
- Oxford Liberty
- POS
- PPO
VNSNY CHOICE
- Medicare Managed Care
- SelectHealth
- Special Needs
WellCare
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
World Trade Center Health Plan
- World Trade Center Health Plan
Credentials & Experience
Education & Training
- Internship: New York University Medical Center
- Residency: New York University Medical Center
- Fellowship: Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, NY
Committees, Societies, Councils
2018-2019-Member of the Population Health/Infectious Disease Committee, ACAAI
10/2017-2018: Member of the ACAAI Education Council
2015-2018: Chairperson of the Clinical Programs/Patient Safety and Quality Committee, ACAAI
2015-2017: Chairperson of the Population Health Committee, ACAAI
2015-2017: Member of the ACAAI Science Council
2012-2015: Chairperson of the Women’s Health Committee, ACAAI
1996-2016: Member of the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society of Greater New York
1/2014-present: Member of the Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Program Evaluation Committee, Columbia University Medical Center
Board Certifications
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatrics
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Honors & Awards
2018: inducted into the Academy of Clinical Excellence in the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University
2011: Staten Island Borough President Award for community service
• Award earned for providing free asthma screenings for the Staten Island and surrounding communities every year since 2004
2005: Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
1996: Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
1991: Schering Young Investigator Award
1985: Valentine Mott Medal, New York University School of Medicine
Research
Selected Publications
Original articles:
Stukus DR, Nassef M, Rubin M. Leaving home: Helping teens with allergic conditions become independent. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunology, Vol. 116, Issue 5, May 2016: 388-391
This article was featured in the ACAAI newsletter, College Insider
Frieri M, O'Connor M, Nassef M. Asthma, stress, and depression in women. Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, Volume 36, Number 4, 20 July/August 2015: 256-261(6)
Agarwal NS, Spalding C, Nassef M. "Life-threatening intraoperative anaphylaxis to gelatin in Floseal during pediatric spinal surgery." J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2015 Jan-Feb;3(1):110-1.
Nassef M, Temprano J, Frieri MA and Rossman S. Should Fracture Risk Influence Our Decision Making in Asthma Care? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 2011, 106(2): 164-167.
Nassef M, Shapiro G, and Casale TB. Identifying and managing rhinitis and its subtypes: allergic and nonallergic components - a consensus report and materials from the Respiratory and Allergic Disease Foundation. Curr Med Res Opin 2006, 22(12):2541-48.
Di Fabrizio, L., Nassef, M., Ware, R., Butler, V.P. Jr. and Chess, L.: Human gamma delta T cells amplify IgE production by Epstein‑Barr virus‑activated B cells. Trans Assn Amer Phys, 1991, 104:155‑163.
Chaffee, J., Nassef, M. and Bobin, S. (1978) in: Senile Dementia: A Biomedical Approach, Nandy, K. ed., Elsevier North‑Holland Biomedical Press, New York, pp. 61‑72.
Chapters:
Nassef M, Rubin M. Allergic Rhinitis Pertaining to Adolescents. In: Allergies and Adolescence: Transitioning Toward Independent Living. Stukus D, editor. Springer. 2018, p. 81-94.
Rubin M, Nassef M. What Now? Practical Steps For Adolescents to Take. In Allergies and Adolescence: Transitioning Toward Independent Living. Stukus D, editor. Springer. 2018, p. 223-230.
Reviews:
Shapiro G and Nassef M. Rhinitis: a practical approach. 2005. CME monograph sponsored by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Respiratory and Allergic Disease Foundation.
Nassef, M. The Role of Allergy in Asthma. Emerg and Off Pediatrics. 1999, 12(5-6):168-171.
Nassef, M. Food Allergy and Other Adverse Food Reactions. Emerg and Off Pediatrics. 1996, 9(5):138-142.
Abstracts:
Agarwal, N.S., Spalding, C., Nassef, M. A case of intraoperative anaphylaxis to gelatin in a gelatin-based hemostatic matrix during spinal surgery.Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Supplement 1 2013: 111 (5).
Spalding, C. N.; Hersh, A.; Nassef, M.; Hsu, A. P.; Holland, S.; Mainardi, T. A Case of MonoMAC; Monocytopenia, B cell and NK Cell Lymphocytopenia in a Child With Recurrent Infections. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Supplement 1 2012: 109 (5).
Nassef, M., Di Fabrizio, L., Butler, V.P. Jr. and Chess, L.: Gamma delta cells stimulate IgE production by EBV‑activated B cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 1991, 87(1): 243.
Nassef, M. and Gennaro, J.: The significance of dimensional stability in the morphometry of normal and ADH‑treated frog skin. The Anatomical Record, 1982, 202: 136A.
For a complete list of publications, please visit PubMed.gov