Dr. Ramzi T. Nicolas, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Ramzi T. Nicolas, who serves patients in Springfield, Illinois.

A board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Nicolas is the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Associate Chair of Pediatric Specialty Care in the SIU Medicine Department of Pediatrics. He also serves as the Medical Director of Pediatric Echocardiology at both HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital and Memorial Medical Center.

As the region’s premier health care provider, SIU Medicine offers both primary and specialized care, and a full range of preventive and diagnostic services. They work in partnership with hospitals and clinics throughout central and southern Illinois to meet the health care needs of their diverse communities. Located in Springfield, Illinois, their team is comprised of more than 300 university physicians and faculty members who are dedicated to providing excellent medical care, advancing treatments through research, and training the next generation of physicians.

A Lebanon native, Dr. Nicolas earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut. After relocating to the United States, he completed his residency in pediatrics at SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse, and his fellowships in pediatric cardiology and pediatric interventional cardiology at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.

Following his training, the doctor attained board certification in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology through the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The mission of the ABP is to advance child health by certifying pediatricians who meet standards of excellence and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

As for his academic appointment, Dr. Nicolas serves as a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics within the Department of Pediatrics at SIU School of Medicine, specializing in pediatric and fetal cardiology.

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends individuals be under pediatric care up to the age of 21. Pediatricians provide medical care to people ranging in age from newborns to young adults. They are trained to examine, diagnose, and treat children with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses through all of their developmental stages, as they grow and mature.

As a testament to his success, Dr. Nicolas has been the recipient of the Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2012), Best Teaching Physician Award (2007), and Best Teaching Service Award (2012) by the SIU Department of Pediatrics.

On a more personal note, he is fluent in English, French, and Arabic.

Recommended Articles

• What Is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

  Muscular dystrophies are a group of diseases that make the muscles of the body weaker over a period of time. The muscles become less flexible in this condition. Out of the nine types of muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy is one of the most common.The main characteristics of this medical...

• Newborn Diagnosis: Tetralogy of Fallot

  Tetralogy of FallotTetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect, which affects the heart’s structure, causing blood with low levels of oxygen to circulate throughout the body. Babies born with tetralogy of Fallot tend to have a blue discoloration of the skin due to low oxygen levels in their...

• What Is Neonatal Lupus?

  Neonatal lupus is a not so common autoimmune disease. It is not true lupus as all the symptoms will completely disappear after 6 months of age. Neonatal lupus is also known by several other terms. The condition is also called as:...

• What Is Progeria?

  Progeria or Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), is a rare genetic condition characterized by a rapidly aging appearance in children. Newborns and infants born with this condition typically look healthy and normal, but may physically display characteristic facial features, such as prominent...

• Different Types of Heart Doctors Explained

  IntroductionDoctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions or diseases of the cardiovascular system (the heart and blood vessels) are called heart doctors or cardiologists. These specialists are trained to identify, treat, and help prevent heart issues. There are also different...

• Muscular Dystrophy: Telling a Child the Truth About His/Her Condition

  Muscular dystrophy is a category of muscle diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.  Muscular dystrophy (MD) is either inherited or can be due to a genetic mutation. Kids with MD usually follow a normal pattern of growth development in the first few years of their lives,...