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Ahmed Elsayem, M.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Associate Professor, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Office Address

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Unit Number: 1468
Houston, TX 77030
Room Number: FCT13.5077
Phone: 713-745-9911
Fax: 713-792-8743
Email: aelsayem@mdanderson.org

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2001 The Univesity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Fellowship, Palliative Care
2000 Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, Residency, Internal Medicine
1985 Khartoum University, Khartoum, Sudan, MD, Medicine

Postgraduate Training

1/2000-2001 Locum tenens, VA Medical Center, Rhinelander, WI
1997-2000 Residency/Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine, Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC
1996-1997 Acting Intern/Research Assistant, VA Hospital, Washington, DC
1989-1995 Medical Officer, Assir Region, Abha, Saudi Arabia
1/1987-1989 Clinical Residency, Elshaab Teaching Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan
1/1987 Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, Khartoum North Teaching Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan

Board Certifications

11/2010 The American Board of Hospice and Palliative Care
11/2000 The American Board of Internal Medicine

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Associate Professor, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008-8/2011
Assistant Professor, Department of General Internal Medicine - Research, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2004-2009
Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2001-2008

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Director, Selection Committee for Patricia Bohan Award for Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 8/2007-present
Member, Outcomes Research Think Tank Committee, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 8/2007-present
Member, Palliative Care Research Committee, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2007-present
Member, Palliative Care Education Committee, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2007-2008
Director, Acute Palliative Care Unit Committee, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006-3/2010
Director, Acute Palliative Care Inpatient Unit, Inpatient Palliative Care Unit, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, Houston, TX, 1/2002-3/2010
Member, Symptom Control and Palliative Care Center Operations Committee, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2001

Institutional Committee Activities

Member, Psychosocial Research Committee, 2010-present
Member, Spiritual Observance Committee, 10/2009

Honors and Awards

2004 8th Annual Interdisciplinary Approach to Palliative Medicine in Cancer Care Poster Award, 1st Place, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Elsayem A, Calderon BB, Camarines EM, Lopez G, Bruera E, Fadul NA. A Month in an Acute Palliative Care Unit: Clinical Interventions and Financial Outcomes. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 28(8):550-5, 12/2011. e-Pub 4/7/2011. PMID: 21478176.
2. Elsayem A, Bush SH, Munsell MF, Curry III E, Calderon B, Paraskevopoulus T, Bruera E. Subcutaneous Olanzapine for Hyperactive or Mixed Delirium in Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Preliminary Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 40(5):774-82, 11/2010. e-Pub 8/2010. PMID: 20728301.
3. Hui D, Elsayem A, Li Z, DeLaCruz M, Palmer JL, Bruera E. Antineoplastic Therapy Use in Patients with Advanced Cancer Admitted to an Acute Palliative Care Unit at a Comprehensive Cancer Center: a Simultaneous Care Model. Cancer 116(8):2036-43, 4/2010. e-Pub 2/2010. PMID: 20162701.
4. Hui D, Elsayem A, De La Cruz M, Berger A, Zhukovsky DS, Evans A, Fadul N, Palmer JL, Bruera E. Availability and Integration of Palliative Care at United States Cancer Centers. JAMA 303(11):1054-1061, 3/2010.
5. Hui D, Elsayem A, Palla S, DeLaCruz M, Li Z, Yennurajalingam S, Bruera E. Discharge Outcomes and Survival of Patients with Advanced Cancer Admitted to an Acute Palliative Care Unite at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. J Palliat Med 13(1):49-57, 1/2010. e-Pub 10/2009. PMID: 19824813.
6. Fadul N, Elsayem A, Palmer JL, Del Fabbro E, Swint K, Li Z, Poulter V, Bruera E. Supportive vs. Palliative Care: What's in a Name? A Survey of Medical Oncologists and Mid-level Providers at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Cancer 115(9):2013-21, 5/2009. PMID: 19235253.
7. Bruera E, Bush SH, Willey J, Paraskevopoulos T, Li Z, Palmer JL, Cohen MZ, Sivesind D, Elsayem A. The impact of delirium and recall on the level of distress in patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers. Cancer 115(9):2004-12, 5/2009. PMID: 19241420.
8. Elsayem A, Mori M, Parsons HA, Munsell MF, Hui D, Delgado-Guay MO, Paraskevopoulos T, Fadul NA, Bruera E. Predictors of inpatient mortality in an acute palliative care unit at a comprehensive cancer center. Support Care Cancer, 4/2009.
9. Sanft T, Hauser J, Rosielle D, Weissman D, Elsayem A, Zhukovsky DS, Coyle N. Physical Pain and Emotional Suffering: The Case for Palliative Sedation. Journal of Pain 10(3):238-242, 3/2009.
10. Reddy SK, Parson HA, Elsayem A, Palmer JL, Bruera E. Characteristics and correlates of dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer. Journal of Palliative Medicine 12(1):29-36, 1/2009. PMID: 19284260.
11. Elsayem A, Curry Iii E, Boohene J, Munsell MF, Calderon B, Hung F, Bruera E. Use of palliative sedation for intractable symptoms in the palliative care unit of a comprehensive cancer center. Support Care Cancer 17(1):53-9, 1/2009. PMID: 18461370.
12. Elsayem A, Bruera E. High-dose corticosteroids for the management of dyspnea in patients with tumor obstruction of the upper airway. Support Care Cancer 12:1437-9, 12/2007. PMID: 17636344.
13. Fadul N, Elsayem A, Palmer JL, Zhang T, Braiteh F, Bruera E. Predictors of access to palliative care services among patients who died at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. J Palliat Med 10 (5):1146-52, 10/2007.
14. El Osta B, Elsayem A, Yennurajalingam S, Bruera E. Intractable pain: Intoxication or under medication? J Palliat Med 10(3):811-4, 2007.
15. Elsayem A, Bruera E. Palliative care and physician responsibility. J Palliat Med 4:838-9, 8/2006. PMID: 16910793.
16. Elsayem A, Smith M, Parmley L, Palmer JL, Jenkins R, Reddy S, Bruera E. Impact of a palliative care service on in-hospital mortality in a comprehensive cancer center. J Palliat Med 8(4):894-902, 2006.
17. Elsayem A, Bruera E. Methadone-induced respiratory depression in a patient with a history of alcoholism. J Palliat Med 8:1062-6, 10/2005.
18. Elsayem A, Swint K, Fisch MJ, Palmer JL, Reddy S, Walker P, Zhukovsky D, Knight P, Bruera E. Palliative care inpatient service in a comprehensive cancer center: clinical and financial outcomes. J Clin Oncol 22(10):2008-14, 5/2004. PMID: 15143094.
19. Karkera, J, Ayache S, Ransome R, Jackson M, Elsayem A, Sridhar R, Wadleigh R. Refinement of Regions with Allelic Loss on Chromosome 11p11.2 ad 18q12.2 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. . Clinical Cancer Research 6:3565-3569, 2000.
20. Wadleigh R, Elsayem A, Hussain M. Esophageal carcinoma following radiotherapy. J Med 29(5-6):375-80, 1998. PMID: 10503172.

Invited Articles
1. Elsayem, A, Zhukovsky D. A review article entitled: “Evaluation and Management of Delirium in the Cancer Patient”. Journal of Primary Care and Cancer 21:31-36, 2001.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Pilot Study of Delirium Assessment in Advanced Cancer among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department of a Comprehensive Cancer Center
Funding Source: MD Anderson Cancer Center
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 2012 - present
 
Title: A Randomized Comparison of Oral Methadone as a "First-Switch" Opioid versus Opioid Swithching Between Sustained-Release Morphine and Oxycodone for Oncology-Hematology Outpatients with Pain Management Problems: The "Simply Rotate" Study
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Michael Fisch, MD

Last updated: 2/7/2013