Dr. Alissa currently serves as President of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FCAAP). She earned her medical degree from the University of Damascus School of Medicine in Syria and completed her pediatric residency at the University of Florida (UF) in Jacksonville. A board-certified pediatrician and pediatric hospitalist, she has practiced at UF for over 12 years and was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics in 2022.

She previously served as Medical Director of the newborn nursery and currently provides coverage at two UF campuses. In addition, she recently completed a three-year term on the Faculty Council for the Department of Pediatrics.

Since residency, Dr. Alissa has been actively involved in the Duval County Medical Society (DCMS), graduating from the Leadership Academy and now serving on its Board of Directors.

Her involvement with FCAAP began during residency. From 2018 to 2023, she co-chaired the Membership Committee and served as a CATCH Grant facilitator between 2019-2024. Prior to her current role as President, she served as Vice President and secretary of FCAAP. In 2019, she established FCAAP’s Wellness Program and has served as its ambassador since then. Under her leadership, the program has hosted numerous successful wellness events and book club sessions. For this work, she was awarded the national AAP Special Achievement Award.

Currently, Dr. Alissa serves as the Liaison for the FCAAP Membership Committee, is an active member of the Legislative Committee, and recently joined the E-Cigarette Task Force, contributing to the development of its educational toolkit. She also represented FCAAP in a national initiative focused on promoting healthy mental development in adolescents.

Dr. Alissa regularly participates in the annual Future of Pediatric Practice meetings as a moderator and Brain Bowl judge, with plans to continue in these roles. She has also taken part in the AAP Leadership Conference, where she contributes to discussions and decision-making on key policy resolutions.

A passionate advocate, Dr. Alissa is committed to advancing FCAAP’s mission in areas such as gun safety, immunization uptake, healthcare access, and adolescent mental health. She frequently meets with state and national lawmakers and has contributed to the development and passage of numerous health-related bills in Florida.

As a dedicated educator, Dr. Alissa has received the prestigious Apple and Exemplary Teacher Awards each year since joining the UF faculty, along with several additional teaching honors. Her research has been published in respected pediatric journals, and she has presented at both national and international conferences, earning multiple research awards.

Widely respected by colleagues, staff, and patients alike, Dr. Alissa is recognized as an outstanding pediatrician and has received numerous awards for her clinical excellence.