I am a pediatric nephrologist at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. I care for patients with a variety of conditions including proteinuria, hematuria, nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis, kidney stones, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, hypertension and before-and-after kidney transplantation.

I was drawn to a career in medicine because I wanted to help children with acute, recoverable conditions. I chose to specialize in nephrology because I find the physiology interesting, and I enjoy treating children with kidney-related conditions in a variety of clinical settings, including those requiring acute dialysis or post-transplant care in the intensive care unit, and those with chronic kidney disease in the outpatient clinic environment.

My favorite thing about my clinical work is the connection I make with my patients and their families. I want them to feel comfortable sharing their concerns with me and enjoy doing everything in my power to help them feel better.

It's a privilege to care for children, helping them become healthy and go on to have fulfilling lives.

Hospital Affiliations

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
• Memorial Hospital Miramar
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital

Gender

• Female

Languages

• English

Education

University Of Maryland School Of Medicine, 2013

Internships

University Of Maryland Medical Systems, 2014, Pediatrics

Residency

University Of Maryland Medical Systems, 2016, Pediatrics

Fellowships

Emory University School Of Medicine, 2019, Pediatric Nephrology

Certifications

American Board of Pediatrics-Pediatric Nephrology
American Board of Pediatrics-Pediatrics

Research

My clinical research interests include renal transplantation. I'm also very interested in projects that focus on quality improvement.

My current research project focuses on comparing rates of graft loss among adolescent and young adult renal transplant recipients who have received care at either adult or pediatric transplant centers in order to better ascertain what risk factors contribute to increased graft loss among this uniquely vulnerable group.

Professional Organizations

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• National Kidney Foundation
• American Society of Pediatric Nephrology
• Renal Physicians Association

Presentations

Oral

• Mersha, K. Posterior Urethral Valves: A Comparison of Two Cases. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University. Urology-Nephrology Conference. August 2018.
• Mersha, K. Renal Cystic Diseases. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University. Division of Pediatric Nephrology. General Nephrology Conference. April 2018.
• Mersha, K. The Impact of Emerging Adulthood and Transition of Care on Renal Graft Failure Rates. Pediatric Research Alliance, Healthcare Disparities Research Forum. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University. March 2018.
• Mersha, K. Primary Hyperoxaluria. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University. Urology-Nephrology Conference. December 2017.
• Mersha, K. Potassium Homeostasis. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University. December 2017.
• Mersha, K. Grand Rounds Wrap Up: Hematuria in the Child. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/ Emory University, Department of Pediatrics. August 2017.
• Mersha, K. Enuresis. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University. Division of Pediatric Nephrology. General Nephrology Conference. June 2017.
• Mersha, K. Grand Rounds Wrap Up: Pseudohypoaldosteronism Type 1. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/ Emory University, Department of Pediatrics. March 2017.
• Mersha, K. Evidence Based Medicine Journal Club: Randomized Trial of Oral versus IV/Oral Antibiotics for Acute Pyelonephritis in Children. University of Maryland Medical Center. May 2015.

Abstract/Poster

• Resolution of Pancytopenia in a Patient with Trisomy 21 and ESRD following Renal Transplantation. Accepted for Poster Presentation at: Annual Dialysis Conference. Orlando, Fl. March 2018.
• Children’s Subspecialty Services Nephrology Influenza Vaccine Initiative. Accepted for Poster Presentation at: Emory Quality Conference. Atlanta, GA. June 2017. Award: Outstanding Data Display and Analysis.
• Prescribing Patterns in a Diabetes Center: Algorithms and Physician Preferences. Accepted for Poster Presentation at: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 20th Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress, San Diego, CA. April 2011.

Awards

• Fellow Research Fund Award by the Pediatric Research Alliance, Emory University, 2018
• Outstanding Data Display and Analysis. Poster: Children’s Subspecialty Services Nephrology Influenza Vaccine Initiative. Emory University, 2017
• Murray M. Kappelman Award for Excellence in Ambulatory Pediatrics, University of Maryland Medical School, 2013
• Union Memorial Hospital Summer Clinical Medical Student Fellowship, University of Maryland Medical School, 2010
• Recipient, Carl & Lily Pforzheimer Fellowship for Public Service, Harvard College, 2008