Kumar Alagappan, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, FIFEM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
About Dr. Alagappan
Dr. Kumar Alagappan is now Chair of Emergency Medicine (EM) and Professor at MD Anderson, at the University of Texas. Previously he was a Professor in Emergency Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
He graduated from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Northwestern University in Chicago. He has been practicing Emergency Medicine for almost 30 years. He was an attending in New York City at LIJ and started as an Assistant Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and worked his way up to Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He started the Combined EM/IM Residency and served as the Director for over 15 years. He also founded the International EM Fellowship at NS-LIJ, he has co-chaired over 20 International meetings and has been involved with the development of Emergency Medicine in several countries, most notably in India. He has numerous awards in his career.
Dr. Alagappan was one of the Co-founders of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine in India (AAEMI) and also the Global Academy of Emergency Medicine (GAEM). Both organizations have been involved with the development and promotion of Emergency Medicine in India with their sister organizations (Society of EM, India) and also with several hospitals.
Dr. Alagappan has several areas of research, but he is probably best known for his work with tetanus.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Department Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Visiting Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, JIPMER, Pondicherry
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1982 | Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA, MD, Medicine |
| 1978 | Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA, AB, Biology and Anthropology |
Postgraduate Training
| 1983-1986 | Clinical Residency, Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL |
| 1982-1983 | Clinical Internship, Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL |
Board Certifications
| 1987 | American Board of Emergency Medicine |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2015
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, 2013 - Present
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Hofstra North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center of Medicine, Hempstead, NY, 2011 - 2013
Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, 2009 - 2012
Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 1999 - 2009
Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, 1994 - 1999
Founder and Residency Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, Combined Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine Residency, New Hyde Park, NY, 1990 - 2003
Assistant Residency Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medicine Residency Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Long Island, NY, 1987 - 1990
Instructor, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 1986 - 1989
Honors & Awards
| 2015 | Recipient of the Global EM Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, SAEM |
| 2014 | Individual Achievement Award of International Emergency Medicine Development, ACEP International Section |
| 2013 | 3rd Annual Life time Achievement Award, Society of Emergency Medicine, India |
| 2011 | 2nd Annual Lifeline and AAEMI Award (individual category), AAEMI |
| 2008 | Fellow, International Federation of Emergency Medicine |
| 2008 | Selected for "Heroes in Emergency Medicine", ACEP 40th Anniversary |
| 2008 | 2nd place Research Award named "Kumar Alagappan Award" for EMCON, EMCON (India's 10th National EM conference) |
| 2002 | Fellow, American Academy of Emergency Medicine |
| 1988 | Fellow, American College of Emergency Physicians |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Langabeer, D.M., Ganduglia Cazaban, C., Swartz, M.D., Algappan, K., Millard Krause, T.. Do Women Present to the Emergency Department (ED) with Symptoms Prior to Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer? A Secondary Analysis of a Retrospective Study of Symptoms Experienced Prior to Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer. JEM 59(5):768-769. e-Pub 2020.
- Sai-Ching Jim Yeung, Aiham Qdaisat, Patrick Chaftari, Demis Lipe, Jeffrey Merlin, Eva Rajha, Adriana Wechsler, Marcelo Sandoval, Jayne Viets, Aisha Al-Breiki, Mohsin Shah, Ramesh Pandey, Mona Kamal, Osama Khattab, Katy Toale, Monica Wattana, Ahmed Elsayem, Susan Gaeta, Patricia Brock, Cielito Reyes-Gibby, Kumar Alagappan. Diagnosis and management of immune‐related adverse effects of immune checkpoint therapy in the emergency department. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 1(6):1637-1659. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33392573.
- Aiham Qdaisat, Mona Kamal , Aisha Al-Breiki, Biman Goswami, Carol C Wu, Shouhao Zhou, Terry W Rice, Kumar Alagappan, Sai-Ching Jim Yeung. Clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of incidental pulmonary embolism in cancer patients. Blood Adv 4(8):1606-1614, 2020. PMID: 32311012.
- Banala SR, Yeung SJ, Rice TW, Reyes-Gibby CC, Wu CC, Todd KH, Peacock WF, Alagappan K. Discharge or admit? Emergency department management of incidental pulmonary embolism in patients with cancer: a retrospective study. Int J Emerg Med 10(1):19, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28589462.
- Alagappan K, Naidu GN, Acharya GK, Hita AG. Hyponatremia-Induced Seizures Secondary to Magnesium Citrate Colon Cleansing Agent. Emergency Medicine: Open Access(7):358, 2017.
- Rentala M, Andrews S, Tiberio A, Alagappan K, Tavdy T, Sheppard P, Silverman R. Intravenous Home Infusion Therapy Instituted from a 24-Hour Clinical Decision Unit for Patients with Cellulitis. Am J Emerg Med 34(7):1273-5, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27182030.
- Alagappan K, Kapur B, Mehta S, Toraskar K. Advances in emergency medicine research in India: abstracts from the EMCON 2014 international conference. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2015.
- Naderi S, Acerra JR, Bailey K, Mukherji P, Taraphdar T, Mukherjee T, Pal A, Ward MF, Miele K, Mathias M, Tan R, Kline M, Alagappan K, Silverman R. Patients in a private hospital in India leave the emergency department against medical advice for financial reasons. Int J Emerg Med 7(1):13, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24568343.
- Alagappan K, Silverman RA, Hancock K, Ward MF, Akerman M, Dawood FS, Branch A, De Cicco S, Steward-Clark E, McCullough M, Tenner K, Katz JM. Seropositivity for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus among frontline health care personnel. Emerg Infect Dis 19(1):140-3, 2013. PMID: 23260627.
- Naderi S, Barnett B, Hoffman RS, Dalipi R, Houdek L, Alagappan K, Silverman R. Factors associated with failure to follow-up at a medical clinic after an ED visit. Am J Emerg Med 30(2):347-51, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22079172.
- Tupesis JP, Babcock C, Char D, Alagappan K, Hexom B, Kapur GB. Optimizing global health experiences in emergency medicine residency programs: a consensus statement from the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors 2011 Academic Assembly global health specialty track. Int J Emerg Med 5(1):43, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23148459.
- Alagappan K, Haar RJ, Naderi S, Acerra JR, Mathias M. The livelihoods of Haitian health-care providers after the january 2010 earthquake: a pilot study of the economic and quality-of-life impact of emergency relief. Int J Emerg Med 5:13, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22385840.
- Alagappan K, Naderi S, Sud P, Acerra J, Pardo S, D'Amore JZ, Ward MF, Mathias M, Miele K, Aziz-Bose R. The use of gastric lavage in India for poisoned patients. J Clinic Toxicol, 2012.
- Alagappan K, Hancock K, Ward MF, De Cicco S, Spencer R, Katz JM, Dawood FS, Silverman R. 335 Demographics of Acute Care Health Care Workers Who Seroconverted After Receiving the 2009 H1N1 Monovalent Vaccine. Annals of Emergency Medicine 58(4):S290, 2011.
- Chan YF, Alagappan K, Rella J, Bentley S, Soto-Greene M, Martin M. Interpreter services in emergency medicine. J Emerg Med 38(2):133-9, 2010. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18571358.
- Alagappan K, Park R, Naderi S, Silverman R. Evaluation for tetanus antibodies in Korean-Americans living in the New York area: a pilot study. J Immigr Minor Health 11(2):105-7, 2009. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18347983.
- Miller I, Alagappan K, Pai M, van der Vlugt T, Doraisamy D, Rajagopalan A. Recognizing emergency medicine in India. Natl Med J India 14(5):297-300, 2001. PMID: 11767225.
- Alagappan K, Barnett B, Napolitano A, Gressin J, Auerbach C. Seroprevalence of hepatitis A among hospital dietary workers: implications for screening and immunization. Am J Med Qual 16(4):145-8, 2001. PMID: 11477959.
- Alagappan K, Cherukuri K, Narang V, Kwiatkowski T, Rajagopalan A. Early development of emergency medicine in Chennai (Madras), India. Ann Emerg Med 32(5):604-8, 1998. PMID: 9795326.
- Alagappan K, Rennie W, Narang V, Auerbach C. Immunologic response to tetanus toxoid in geriatric patients. Ann Emerg Med 30(4):459-62, 1997. PMID: 9326860.
- Alagappan K, Rennie W, Kwiatkowski T, Narang V. Antibody protection to diphtheria in geriatric patients: need for ED compliance with immunization guidelines. Ann Emerg Med 30(4):455-8, 1997. PMID: 9382241.
- Alagappan K, Rennie W, Kwiatkowski T, Falck J, Silverstone F, Silverman R. Seroprevalence of tetanus antibodies among adults older than 65 years. Ann Emerg Med 28(1):18-21, 1996. PMID: 8669732.
- Bernstein SL, Rennie WP, Alagappan K. Impact of Yankee Stadium Bat Day on blunt trauma in northern New York City. Ann Emerg Med 23(3):555-9, 1994. PMID: 8135433.
Invited Articles
- Alagappan K, Abrahamian F, Moran G, Talan D, DeBlieux P, House H, Jackimczyk K, LoVecchio F. Clinical update on the use of Moxifloxacin (AVELOX) for the Emergency Medicine Specialist, 2007.
Other Articles
- Alagappan K A perspective on Tetanus. Newsletter: Preventing and Managing Diseases, Institute for Health Protection.
Abstracts
- Banala SR, Kwak MJ, Page VD, Rice TW, Alagappan K. The management of an incidental PE finding in the Emergency Department of an Oncologic Hospital - A retrospective review. Poster Presentation - Mediterranean Congress, Rome, Italy, 2015.
- Loftus A, Rosen L, Mounessa J, Polak G, Aziz-Bose R, Persky A, Mongone J, Alagappan K, Ward M, Rentala M. Predictive variables associated with observation failures in a 24-hour clinical decision unit. Poster Presentation - ACEP, Denver, CO, 2012.
- Loftus A, Polack G, Rosen L, Lawrence E, Chacko L, Arestehmanesh D, Fay B, Alagappan K, Ward MF, Rentala M. Predictive variables associated with inappropriate length of stay in a 24-hour clinical decision unit. Oral Presentation - ACEP, Denver, CO, 2012.
- Alagappan K, Loftus A, Polak G, Rosen L, Lawerence E, Chacko L, Arestehmanesh D, Fay B, Ward M, Rentala M. 12 Predictive Variables Associated With Inappropriate Length of Stay in a 24-hour Clinical Decision Unit. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2012.
- Alagappan K, Loftus A, Rosen L, Mounessa G, Polak G, Aziz-Bose R, Persky J, Mongone, Ward MF, Rentala M. 272 Predictive Variables Associated With Observation Failures in a 24-hour Clinical Decision Unit. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2012.
- Alagappan K, Ward M, DeCicco S, Katz J, Dawood F, Silverman R. Demographics of acute care health care workers who seroconverted after receiving the 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccine. Poster Presentation-ACEP, San Francisco, CA; Annals of Emergency Medicine; Vaccine Meeting, Seattle, WA 58(48), 2011.
- Naderi S, Ward M, D'Amore JZ, Kline M, Acerra J, Pal S, Chatterjee A, Sama A, Houdek L, Miele K, Tenner K, Alagappan K. Determinants of cesarean sections in West Bengal, India. Poster Presentation at SAEM, Boston, MA, 2011.
- Alagappan K, Silverman R, Hancock K, Ward M, Akerman M, Dawood F, Branch A, De Cicco S, Steward-Clark E, McCullough M, Tenner K, Katz J. Seropositivity to the 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus among Emergency Department Health Care Workers. Poster Presentations at SAEM, Boston, MA and Vaccine Meeting, Seattle, WA, 2011.
- Naderi S, Sud P, Acerra J, Pardo S, D'Amore J, Ward M, Mathias M, Miele K Ma, Alagappan K. The use of gastric lavage in India. Poster Presentation SAEM, Boston, MA, 2011.
- Naderi S, Ward M, Jason Z, D'AMore J, Miele K MA, Mathias M, Tan R, Kline M, Acerra J, Mukherjee T, Pal A, Taraphdarm T, Mukherji P, Alagappan K. Why do patients leave the emergency department in India against medical advice. Poster Presentation SAEM, Boston, MA, 2011.
- Acerra J, Naderi S, Mathias M, Alagappan K. Emergency Medicine Training Programs in India: Who Is Doing What, and Where?. Oral Presentation SAEM, Boston, MA, 2011.
- Alagappan K, Acerra JR, Santos C, Naderi S, Hahn SJ, Pothiawala S. Emergency Medicine Training Programs in India: Who is Doing What, and Where?. Society of Academic Emergency Medicine Annual Meeting 2011 18, 2011.
Book Chapters
- P. Brock, K. Alagappan. Stoma Complications. In: Oncologic Emergency Medicine. Springer: Switzerland, 691-698, 2021.
- Alagappan K, Hargrave J. Foreign doctor. In: Martin ML, Heron SL, Moreno-Walton L, Strickland M. Diversity and Inclusion in Quality Patient Care: Your Story/Our Story - A Case-Based Compendium. In: Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 419-424, 2019.
- Chan Y, Alagappan K, Bilal S, Hargrave J, Bentley S, Martin M. Interpreter Services in the Emergency Department. In: Diversity and Inclusion in Quality Patient Care. Springer Publishing, 2018.
- Sarlin E, Alagappan K. Development of International EMS. In: EMS: A Practical Global Guidebook. 1, 2010.
- Alagappan K, Mule F, Frogel D,. Trauma Abdominal Contuso. In: Revista Argentina de Emergencias. 1, 2010.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Care of Wound Study, Seroprevalence of tetanus antibody titers among EM patients |
| Funding Source: | Bayer Biological |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Pharmacokinetics of TIG and dt immunization: Measurement of tetanus antibody response to tetanus immunization among HIV patient |
| Funding Source: | Bayer Biological |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Pharmacokinetics of TIG, Measurement of tetanus antibody response among the elderly |
| Funding Source: | Talecris |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | 3rd Annual NY Symposium on International EM |
| Funding Source: | ACEP |
| Role: | Co-Chair |
| Title: | 3rd Annual NY Symposium on International EM |
| Funding Source: | Merck |
| Role: | Co-Chair |
| Title: | INTEM 2006 India's 2nd International EM Conference |
| Funding Source: | GE |
| Role: | Co-Chair |
| Title: | 3rd Annual NY Symposium on International EM |
| Funding Source: | Merck |
| Role: | Co-Chair |
| Title: | EMCON 2007, India's National EM Conference |
| Funding Source: | GE |
| Role: | Co-Chair |
| Title: | Oral Board Review Course |
| Funding Source: | Merck |
| Role: | Co-Chair |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 21, 2024