Rafeul Alam, MD, PhD

Rafeul Alam, MD, is an allergist and immunologist at National Jewish Health. Dr. Alam serves as Chief of the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Chief, Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology
Professor
Veda H. and Chauncey H. Ritter Chair in Immunology
Department of Medicine
Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology
Best Doctors in America® 2019-2020 — Best Doctors, Inc.

Special Interests

Basic Science Research: The major research interest of the laboratory are 1) Mechanism of formation of ILC2 memory for allergen-associated PAMPs; 2) DNA sensor-driven airway neutrophilic inflammation.
Translational/Clinical Research: The major interest is to identify key cells, pathways and molecules involved in type-2 (eosinophilic) and non-type-2 (neutrophilic) endotypes of asthma.

Education

1974 - 1980: Lodz Medical School (Lodz, Poland), MD

Residency

1981 - 1983: Lodz Medical School (Lodz, Poland), Internal Medicine

Fellowship

1987 - 1988: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Allergy-Immunology

Awards & Recognition

June 2021: HAMI ZRG1 IMM-T57 Study Section, NIH, Ad Hoc member
October 2020: HAMI ZRG1 IMM-T57 Study Section, NIH, Chair
2016-2020: HAI Study Section, NIH, Standing Member
2015: Outstanding Scientific Achievement Award, 2015, National Jewish Health, Denver
2014-2021: Best Doctors in America (Best Doctors, Inc), Top Doctors (US News and World Report)
2012: Election to Association of American Physicians (AAP)
1997: Election to American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI)
2000: Sealy & Smith Distinguished Centennial Chair in Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch
1993: Pharmacia Allergy Research Foundation Award (an International Contest)
1989: Burroughs Welcome Developing Investigator Award
1987: Clemens von Pirquet Award of the American College of Allergists
1985: Annual Award of the Polish Society of Allergists for the best Ph.D. dissertation
1980: Copernicus Gold Prize of the Polish Ministry of Sciences and Higher Education
1980: M.D. Valedictorian, Class of 1980, Lodz Medical University
1980: Ranked First in All-Poland Medical Graduate Final Examination

Board Certification

American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of Allergy and Immunology

Professional Memberships

2012-Present: Association of American Physicians
1997-Present: American Society for Clinical Investigation
1993-Present: Southern Society for Clinical Investigation
1992-Present: American College of Physicians
1989-Present: American Thoracic Society
1989-Present: American Association of Immunologists
1988-Present: American Academy of Allergy and Immunology
1986-Present: American College of Allergists

Publications

Liu S, Sirohi K, Verma M, McKay J, Michalec L, Sripada A, Danhorn T, Rollins D, Good J, Martin RJ, Gorska MM and Alam R. Optimal identification of human conventional and nonconventional (CRTH2^-IL7Rα^-) ILC2s using additional surface markers. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;146(2):390-405. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.01.038.

Sripada A, Sirohi K, Michalec L, Gorentla B, Guo L, McKay J, Yadav S, Verma M, Good J, Rollins D, Gorska MM and Alam R. Sprouty2 positively regulates T cell function and airway inflammation through regulation of CSK and LCK. PLoS Biol. 2021 Mar 8;19(3):e3001063. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001063. PMID: 33684096.

Verma M, Michalec L, Sripada A, McKay J, Sirohi K, Verma D, Sheth D, Martin R, Dyjack N, Seibold MA, Knapp JR, Tu TH, O'Connor BP, Gorska MM, Alam R. The molecular and epigenetic mechanisms of innate lymphoid cell (ILC) memory and its relevance for asthma. J Exp Med. 2021 Jul 5;218(7):e20201354. doi: 10.1084/jem.20201354. Epub 2021 Jun 2. PMID: 34076685; PMCID: PMC8176441.

Murphy RC, Pavord ID, Alam R, and Altman MC. Management strategies to reduce exacerbations in non-T2 asthma. Journal Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Practice, J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Jul;9(7):2588-2597.

Verma M, Verma D and Alam R. Role of Type-2 Innate Lymphoid Cells in Type-2 Asthma. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2022 Feb 1;22(1):29-35.

View Biographical Sketch

Academic Affiliations

Faculty Affiliate, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Website Information

Alam Laboratory

Conflicts of Interest

National Jewish Health physicians and scientists may collaborate with pharmaceutical or other industries to develop medical and scientific breakthroughs or to provide education on trends in quality medical practice and outcomes to physicians and health professionals around the country. National Jewish Health maintains a strict conflict of interest policy to ensure that all potential conflicts are clearly visible and that management plans are put in place in order to further innovation and education while ensuring the protection of our patients and the integrity of our research. National Jewish Health publicly discloses any payment to our physicians or scientists. View this faculty member’s industry relationships and collaborations.

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Contact Information

Office: 877.225.5654

Locations

National Jewish Health Main Campus
1400 Jackson Street
Denver, CO 80206

Patient Ratings

Data Integrity Press Ganey Certified The Patient metric-rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our independent metric-rating system, the Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. This survey is about the patient care experience and does not address crucial characteristics like medical decision-making, prescribing the best therapy, and patient outcomes.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Learn more about our patient satisfaction survey.

Friendliness

5.0

Likelihood of recommending this provider

5.0

Provider explained things clearly

5.0

Provider showed concern

5.0

Provider included you in decisions

5.0

Amount of time spent with you

5.0

Confidence in your doctor

5.0

Spoke using clear language

4.9

Patient Comments

Comments are collected in our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Surveys. Patients are de-identified to protect confidentiality and patient privacy. Learn more about our patient satisfaction survey.

National Jewish Health Patient – July, 2023

Working with *Dr. Alam & his fellow was such a breath of fresh air. They understand my concerns & worked WITH ME!
National Jewish Health Patient – May, 2023

Same as I said before about Dr. Alam's treatment, professionalism, kindness and knowledge - he's the best!
National Jewish Health Patient – April, 2023

*Dr. Alam has ALWAYS been a keen listener and friendly, empathetic friend-physician.
National Jewish Health Patient – March, 2023

Always good
National Jewish Health Patient – February, 2023

I appreciate care & concern *Dr. Alam shows to me regarding my health problem. He's also professional and shares a lot of knowledge.
National Jewish Health Patient – February, 2023

My care at NJH has been outstanding. Dr, Allam has been helpful, kind and truthfully honest with me. I Am grateful he is my Dr.
National Jewish Health Patient – February, 2023

Dr. Great just need the follow with the care after to be better
National Jewish Health Patient – November, 2022

Dr. Alam is one of the best M.D.'s I've ever seen.
National Jewish Health Patient – November, 2022

He took great care listening and asking questions
National Jewish Health Patient – October, 2022

My Dr. Is very smart and knowledgeable. He goes to great lengths to try to help us and care for us.
National Jewish Health Patient – October, 2022

Dr Alam was very attentive and listened to my concerns. He prescribed a medication and it is working! He went over all my medications to see how everything is woeking
National Jewish Health Patient – October, 2022

*Dr. Alam is an excellent listener. He takes the time to break down the issues and explains them well. Left with all questions addressed.
National Jewish Health Patient – September, 2022

As I mentioned I have been a patient of Dr. Alam for almost 20 years. I simply cannot say enough about the care he has provided. He cares about me and my health. I can actually e-mail him and he responds quickly as though he really cares. I lead an active and enjoyable life because of Dr. Alam. I actually am comforted knowing that I can always seek his help and he will be there.
National Jewish Health Patient – September, 2022

Dr. Alam is the archetype physician - exactly what Hippocrates would have envisioned. A caring, consummate professional who puts each patients needs at the front.
National Jewish Health Patient – September, 2022

Dr Alam was wonderful. I felt he listened and shared how he was thinking about the info I shared. He listened to my thoughts about treatment and added his own. Very collaborative. Would recommend him to a family member or friend
National Jewish Health Patient – August, 2022

I received excellent care from all nurses doctors, and the lab.
National Jewish Health Patient – August, 2022

*Dr. Alam was patient & explained why he thought I had no...
National Jewish Health Patient – July, 2022

Dr Alam is the premier doctor to see to this kind of condition.
National Jewish Health Patient – June, 2022

Good experience.
National Jewish Health Patient – May, 2022

Dr. Alam is one of the few physicians that I have met that shows true concern and takes the time he needs to explain your diagnosis. And then he proposes possible treatments and asks for your input.
National Jewish Health Patient – May, 2022

I have never had a bad visit with Dr Alan. He is outstanding.
National Jewish Health Patient – May, 2022

Dr. Alam is perhaps the best doctor I've had (and I have had many PCMs and specialists over the years and across the country). As a medical professional I am very grateful that Dr. Alam meets me at my level of understanding regarding my care. Also, I never feel rushed in his presence. I trust him implicitly.
National Jewish Health Patient – April, 2022

Dr Alam is wonderful and has changed my life. He is open minded, absolutely thinks out of the box, recognizing that each patient's needs and responses to treatment vary. He is honest about his knowledge and always willing to consider and research any questions I may have. He conveys warmth and respect by the manner in which he asks questions, provides feedback and considers treatment. He has increased my quality of life immeasurably as compared to other non NJH doctors I saw for treatment prior to being assigned to him. He also provides me with hope and security, knowing that he along with his level of expertise are in my corner. He is extremely responsive to messages and always tries to help me. I feel very fortunate to have Dr. Alam as my provider. I also have express appreciation to his nurses Jen and Jasmin for all hard work and excellent communication between me and man shaking prior authorization for my medication. The teamwork between Dr Alam and these nurses is evident and effective.With much gratitude
National Jewish Health Patient – April, 2022

Dr. Alam asked a lot of questions to thoroughly assess my situation, he then explained his thoughts and recommended a course of actions which we discussed. We did some blood work and talked about touching base in a few months. Dr. Alam was professional and also warm and I knew he really cared. It was a lovely visit and I believe my issues were fully addressed

Patient Ratings

Programs and Services

Specialties & Conditions

Research Areas

Special Interests

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Education

Education

Residency

Fellowship

Awards & Recognition

Board Certification

Professional Memberships

Publications

Academic Affiliations

Website Information

Conflicts of Interest