Nicole Akar-Ghibril, MD
Director, Oral Immunotherapy Program


Memorial Division of Pediatric Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology
1131 North 35th Avenue
Suite 220
Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: 954-265-3030
Fax: 954-276-0165
Memorial Division of Pediatric Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology
601 North Flamingo Road
Suite 403
Pembroke Pines, FL 33028
Phone: 954-265-3030
Fax: 954-276-0165
Memorial Division of Pediatric Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology
1951 SW 172nd Avenue
Suite 415
Miramar, FL 33029
Phone: 954-265-3030
Fax: 954-276-0165
About Me
Director, Oral Immunotherapy Program
I am an allergist and immunologist at Memorial Healthcare System, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. I serve as the director of the oral immunotherapy program, where I work with children and families to safely treat food allergies. We create personalized treatment plans that help patients safely build up their tolerance, reducing the risk of severe reactions to certain foods. Our goal is not only to lessen the fear of accidental exposures but also give children and families more freedom and peace of mind in their daily lives.
In addition to food allergies, I treat patients with a variety of conditions including primary and secondary immune deficiencies, asthma, hives, eczema and environmental allergies.
My passion for allergy and immunology began during medical school, when I developed an educational curriculum for parents of children with food allergies. I was inspired by the patients I met and was fascinated by the wide range of conditions within the specialty. The field of allergy immunology is particularly exciting today, as emerging treatments give us better ways to help patients feel well and live fully.
It is both an honor and a privilege to care for my patients and help them feel their best. I take my time getting to know each of my patients, and I value building lasting relationships based on trust and collaboration. I believe education is an important part of care – when families understand the treatment plan and feel comfortable, we can work together to achieve the best outcomes.
Areas of Focus
- Food Allergies
- Oral Immunotherapy
- Atopic dermatitis/Eczema
- Inborn errors of immunity/Immune Deficiencies (Primary and Secondary)
- Environmental Allergies
- Pediatric Asthma
Education
Fellowships
- Boston Children's Hospital, 2020, Allergy & Immunology
Residency
- Children's National Medical Center, 2015, Pediatrics
Internships
- Children's National Medical Center, 2013, Pediatrics
Medical Education
- University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, 2012
- University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, 2012
Certifications
- American Board of Allergy and Immunology-Allergy & Immunology
American Board of Pediatrics-Pediatrics
Awards, Achievements, and More
Publications
Please view Dr. Nicole Akar-Ghibril’s publications on PubMed.Research
My research interests include food allergies and anaphylaxis. During my fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital I conducted research as part of the Asthma Clinical Research Center, investigating the relationship between plasma IL-6 levels and clinical asthma outcomes as well as characteristics associated with successful reduction of mouse allergen levels in homes.
Professional Organizations
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
- American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
Presentations
- Gunderson C, Lopez S, Lukose K, Akar-Ghibril N. Discrepancies in Anaphylaxis Protocols Across Emergency Medical Services Across the United States – Opportunities for Improvement
Oral Abstract: American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. 2024, Boston, MA. - Desai S, Ale H, Akar-Ghibril N. A Case of C8 Deficiency.
Poster: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Meeting. 2024, Washington DC. - Desai S, Salazar P, Akar-Ghibril N, Chang C. DAVID Syndrome Associated with Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Poster: American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. 2023, Anaheim, CA - Akar-Ghibril N, Sheehan W, Petty C, Phipatanakul W. Mouse Allergen Levels in Schools in Two Inner City Asthma Studies.
Oral Abstract: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Meeting. 2019, San Francisco, CA. - Akar-Ghibril N, Sheehan W, Petty C, Phipatanakul W. Mouse Allergen Levels in Schools in Two Inner City Asthma Studies.
Poster: New England Society of Allergy Fall Meeting. 2018, Plymouth, MA. - Akar-Ghibril N and Phipatanakul W. Long Lasting Benefit of Omalizumab in a Patient with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria.
Poster: New England Society of Allergy Fall Meeting. 2017, Mystic CT. - Shah A, Abreo A, Akar-Ghibril N, Shah R. Is the ‘July Effect’ real? Pediatric Trainee Medical Errors and Adverse Events at a Large Training Children’s Hospital.
Poster: Association of Pediatric Program Directors National Meeting. 2016, New Orleans, LA. - Akar-Ghibril N, Tuluca C, Sestokas J, Dixon G, Ottolini M. Randomized Controlled Trial of a Blended Learning Curriculum Using Virtual Coaching to Enhance 3rd Year Medical Students’ Clinical Reasoning During Oral Case Presentations.
Poster: Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting; 2015, San Diego, CA
Platform: Research & Education Week, Children’s National; 2015, Washington, DC
Platform: Academic Pediatric Association Region IV Meeting; 2015, Charlottesville, VA - Tuluca C, Akar-Ghibril N, Sestokas J, Dixon G, Ottolini M. Establishing Validity of PBEAR: An Oral Case Presentation Tool to Promote Clinical Reasoning.
Platform: Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting; 2015, San Diego, CA
Platform: Council on Med Student Education in Pediatrics; 2015, New Orleans, LA
Platform: Academic Pediatric Association Region IV Meeting; 2015, Charlottesville, VA - Sestokas J, Akar-Ghibril N, Tuluca C, Dixon G, Ottolini M. Developing and Assessing an eLearning Module Using Illness Scripts to Improve Students Diagnostic Reasoning Skills.
Poster: Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting; 2015, San Diego, CA
Poster: Council on Med Student Education in Pediatrics; 2015, New Orleans, LA - Ottolini M, Tuluca C, Akar-Ghibril N, Sestokas J. Validation of an Instrument to Assess Clinical Reasoning During Oral Case Presentations on Bedside Rounds.
Platform: Diagnostic Errors in Medicine 7th International Conference; 2014, Atlanta, GA - Communicating Diagnostic Reasoning During Case Presentations – A Prescription for Decreasing Errors? Grand Rounds, Children’s National Health System
Awards
- American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Allergy and Immunology Outstanding Pediatric Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Abstract Award “Association of Systemic IL-6 Inflammation with Body Mass Index, Asthma Morbidity, and Metabolic Dysfunction in the School Inner-City Asthma Study” (2020)
- AAAAI Interest Section FIT Abstract Award – EORD Interest Section “Mouse Allergen Levels in Schools in Two Inner City Asthma Studies: Past versus Present” (2019)
- Best Abstract by a Resident American Pediatric Association (2015)
- Excellence in Teaching Award, George Washington University (2013, 2014, 2015)