Kevin Messacar, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Pediatrics-Infectious Diseases

Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Sections of Hospital Medicine and Infectious Diseases
Clinic 720-777-1234
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Gender: Male
Languages: English, Spanish
Department, Section/Division: Pediatrics-Infectious Diseases
Neurology

Practice Locations

Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
13123 East 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234
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Hospital Affiliation
  • Children's Hospital Colorado

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Pediatrics - Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Board Certification (2015)
  • Pediatrics, Board Certification (2011)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Brain and Nervous System
  • Meningitis
  • Child and Teen Health
  • Pediatric Diseases and Conditions
  • Infections
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Viral Infections
Clinical Interest for Patients
Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Public Speaking
Yes

Education & Training

Medical Schools:
  • MD, University of Michigan Medical School (2008)

Graduate Schools:
  • PhD, University of Colorado Denver (2022)

Undergraduate Schools:
  • BS, University of Michigan (MI) (2003)

Internships:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program (2009)

Residency Program:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program, Pediatrics (2011)

Fellowships:
  • University of Colorado (Children's Hospital Colorado) Program, Pediatric Infectious Diseases (2014)

Recognition & Awards

  • Top Doctor: Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 5280 Magazine (2021)
  • Young Investigator Award, Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (2021)
    Presented annually to a single physician whose independent and productive research during and after fellowship represents outstanding contributions in pediatric infectious diseases
  • Top Doctor: Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 5280 Magazine (2020)
    Voted by licensed CO physicians
  • Top Doctor: Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 5280 Magazine (2019)
    Voted by licensed CO physicians
  • Top Doctor: Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 5280 Magazine (2018)
    Voted by licensed CO physicians
  • Century Award, Children's Hospital Colorado (2018)
    Recognizes a staff member with five or fewer years of training who has made major contributions through committee work, leadership and/or advocacy.
  • Acute Flaccid Myelitis Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Board of Scientific Counselors (2018)
    https://www.cdc.gov/ddid/bsc/afm-task-force.html
  • Gary Way Award for Outstanding Teaching by a Faculty Member, University of Colorado Department of Pediatrics (2017)
    Elected by the University of Colorado pediatric residents
  • Top Doctor: Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 5280 Magazine (2017)
    Voted by licensed CO physicians
  • Research Scholars Award, Children's Hospital Colorado Research Institute (2015)
  • Astute Clinician Award, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (2014)
    For initial description of the association of Acute Flaccid Myelitis and Enterovirus D68 in CO in 2014
  • Fellow Teaching Award, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics (2013)
    Voted by University of Colorado pediatric residents
  • Outstanding Resident of the Year, University of Colorado NICU (2011)
  • Resident Teaching Award, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics (2011)
    Voted by University of Colorado medical students
  • Outstanding Intern of the Year, University of Colorado NICU (2009)
  • MCAS Academic Achievement Award, University of Michigan Medical School (2008)
    Highest Academic Standing in the Graduating Class of 2008
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society, Alpha Omega Alpha, University of Michigan Chapter (2008)
  • Dean’s Commendation for Excellence in Clinical Skills and the Art of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School (2008)
  • Distinction in Service, University of Michigan Medical School (2008)
  • Dean’s Merit Scholarship, University of Michigan Medical School (2003)
  • Highest Distinction and Highest Honors in Biochemistry, University of Michigan (2003)

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Member
  • Colorado Chapter of the Infectious Disease Society of America, Board Member
  • Infectious Disease Society of America, Member
  • Pediatric Infectious Disease Society, Member
  • Society of Pediatric Research, Member

Teaching

  • Infectious Disease Rotation Coordinator (2016)
    School of Medicine, Pediatrics
  • Evidence Based Clinical Effectiveness Conference Faculty Co-Facilitator (2016)
    School of Medicine, Pediatrics

Research & Grants

https://profiles.ucdenver.edu/display/229779
Grants
  • Pandemic Response Repository--Microbiologic/Immunologic Surveillance & Epidemiology (PREMISE): Enterovirus D68 Pilot Study (2022)
    National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, $2500000
  • Duration of Enterovirus D68 Shedding in the Upper Respiratory Tract (2020)
    CDC, $241613
  • Picornavirus Etiology for Severe Neurologic Disease in Children (2020)
    CDC Emerging Infections Program, $230735
  • Acute Flaccid Myelitis Enhanced Surveillance Grant (2020)
    CDC/CDPHE, $160126
  • A Prospective Study of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) to Define Natural History, Risk Factors, and Pathogenetic Mechanisms (2020)
    NIAID (UAB Central Site), $127752
  • Implementation and Effectiveness of a Rapid Cerebrospinal Fluid Diagnostics Program for Children with Suspected Central Nervous System Infection (2017)
    NIH NIAID K23 Career Development Award (5 years), $176147
  • Picornavirus Etiology of Severe Infections in Children (2017)
    CDC, $94843
  • The Impact of Rapid Organism Identification of the Clinical Care of Children with Bloodstream Infections (2016)
    Children’s Hospital Colorado Clinical and Operational Effectiveness and Patient Safety Small Grant, $11500
  • The Impact of Rapid Organism Identification of the Clinical Care of Children with Bloodstream Infections (2016)
    Children’s Hospital Colorado Research Institute Research Scholars Award, $200000
  • Role of Parechoviruses and HHV6 in Aseptic Meningitis and Encephalitis in Infants Less than 6 Months of Age (2015)
    Colorado Clinical and Translational Research Center Child and Maternal Health Mentored Co-PILOT Grant, $20000
Research interests for Patients:
My research interests include using new rapid tests to improve the care of children with infections. I am interested in learning more about what causes brain and spinal cord infections in children. I have been investigating the causes of acute flaccid myelitis, which causes paralysis in children, including enterovirus D68 and A71. I am seeking to improve our pandemic preparedness by studying ways to expedite the development of tools to respond to the next emerging infectious disease.

Information for Referring Providers

Clinical Interests for Referring Providers
Pediatric Central Nervous System Infections (meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis)

Research Interest for Referring Providers
My research interests include: -implementation of rapid diagnostic technologies for infectious diseases to improve the clinical care of children -central nervous system infections in children -enteroviruses -acute flaccid myelitis -emerging infections