Dena Nazer (ai2661)
University information
Contact information
Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Dena Nazer is the medical director of the Kids TALK Children’s Advocacy Center in Detroit where she also performs the medical exams for children who are suspected victims of child abuse. She is a child abuse pediatrician and is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in both pediatrics and child abuse pediatrics.
In addition to her role as a Wayne Pediatrics specialist, Dr. Nazer serves as a professor of pediatrics at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Dr. Nazer was recently appointed by Governor Gretchen as the chair of the Michigan Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board and is serving her 2nd term on the board. She is a member of many local and national organizations. She actively teaches physicians and other health care professionals nationally and internationally on the topic of child maltreatment and human trafficking.
Faculty Senate / Executive Committee
Dena Nazer is a Professor (Clinical) in the department of Pediatrics.
Dr. Nazer M.D., is a professor of pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She is the Medical Director at Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Detroit, where she performs medical evaluations for children suspected of being maltreated and victims of human trafficking. Dr. Nazer serves on the Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) executive committee. She is also the course director for the WE AIM faculty development program at the School of Medicine.
Dr. Nazer completed her pediatric residency, served as a chief resident, and completed her fellowship in child abuse pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Dr. Nazer was the medical director of the child protection team at Children’s Hospital of Michigan for 11 years before transitioning her work to the advocacy center.
Dr. Nazer is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in both General Pediatrics and Child Abuse Pediatrics. Dr. Nazer was recently appointed by Governor Gretchen as the chair of the Michigan Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board and is serving her 2nd term on the board. She actively teaches healthcare professionals nationally and internationally on the topic of child maltreatment and human trafficking.
Kids TALK CAC
40 East Ferry
Detroit, MI 48202
Dr. Nazer graduated from the School of Medicine at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan. She then completed her pediatric residency, served as a chief resident, and completed her fellowship in child abuse pediatrics at Children's Hospital of Michigan.
313-717-2689
Dr. Nazer was awarded the Canadian Platinum Jubilee Emblem by the Ontario Government-Member of Parliament: Brain Masse for her work as a child abuse pediatrician. The queen's platinum jubilee pin is a once-in-a-lifetime exceptional recognition awarded to someone who has made a significant contribution through their work, volunteerism, activism, or community leadership.
Dr. Nazer was also awarded the Champion of Children Award by the Children's Advocacy Centers of Michigan for her dedication to child welfare and passion for educating child welfare professionals.
At Wayne State School of Medicine, she was awarded the Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) Leadership Award and was awarded the college teaching award twice for her excellence in teaching.
Dr. Nazer has been awarded by the Hour Detroit Magazine's List of Top Docs as the Top Doc in Child Abuse Pediatrics annually since 2009.
Dr. Nazer's research focuses on the use of gamification in child abuse medical education as an innovative teaching technique. Her research also focuses on the benefits of faculty development programs at the School of Medicine and the early detection of child abuse and neglect in children.
Dr. Nazer is a co-editor of 3 books on child maltreatment, published 67 chapters and several articles mostly focused on child abuse and neglect and human trafficking.
- D. Nazer, V.J. Greenbaum. Human Trafficking in Children as part of an edition on Pediatric Health in Immigrant Children. Pediatric Annals. 2020;49(5):209-214.
- Yurkovich C, Nazer D, Farooqi A, Kannikeswaran N. Does Postmortem Imaging Provide Additional Findings After Unexpected Deaths in Infants and Children?. Pediatric Emergency Care. 10/22/2020. PubMed PMID: 33105461.
- Nazer D, Kannikeswaran N, Schmidt C. Commotio cordis: A case report of a fatal blow.. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 01/01/2022;67(1):384-386. PubMed PMID: 34462926.
Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development
Women in Medicine and Science
Dr. Nazer is a Professor of Pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She is the Medical Director at Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Detroit, where she performs medical evaluations for children suspected of being maltreated and victims of human trafficking. Dr. Nazer serves on the Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) executive committee. She is also the course director for the WE AIM faculty development program at the school of medicine.
Dr. Nazer completed her pediatric residency, served as a chief resident, and completed her fellowship in child abuse pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Dr. Nazer was the medical director of the child protection team at Children’s Hospital of Michigan for 11 years before transitioning her work to the advocacy center.
Dr. Nazer is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in both General Pediatrics and Child Abuse Pediatrics. Dr. Nazer was recently appointed by Governor Gretchen as the chair of the Michigan Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board and is serving her 2nd term on the board. She actively teaches healthcare professionals nationally and internationally on the topic of child maltreatment and human trafficking.
Education
M.B.B.S., Medicine/ University of Jordan/ Faculty of Medicine , Amman, Jordan
Fellowship, Child Abuse Pediatrics/ Children's Hospital of Michigan/ Wayne State University
Pediatric Chief Resident / Children's Hospital of Michigan/ Wayne State University
Residency, General Pediatrics/Children's Hospital of Michigan/ Wayne State University
Research
Dr. Nazer's research focuses on child abuse medical education and the use of gamification as a method of teaching and learning. She had edited 3 books and contributed to chapters and articles on child maltreatment.
Publications
1. Katie Johnson, Dena Nazer. When it’s all fun and games: gamification of child abuse medical education. International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 03/2024;11(1):13-17. doi: 10.4103/ijpam.ijpam_67_24.
2. Yurkovich C, Nazer D, Farooqi A, Kannikeswaran N. Does Postmortem Imaging Provide Additional Findings After Unexpected Deaths in Infants and Children?. Pediatric Emergency Care. 10/22/2020. PubMed PMID: 33105461.
3. D. Nazer, V.J. Greenbaum. Human Trafficking in Children as part of an edition on Pediatric Health in Immigrant Children.
Pediatric Annals. 2020;49(5):209-214.
4. Nazer D, Kannikeswaran N, Schmidt C. Commotio cordis: A case report of a fatal blow.. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 01/01/2022;67(1):384-386. PubMed PMID: 34462926.
5. V. J. Palusci, D. Nazer, D. E. Greydanus, J. Merrick. An Introduction to the Medical Evaluation of Child Maltreatment. Nova; In Press.
6. V. J. Palusci, D. Nazer, D. E. Greydanus, J. Merrick. Child abuse: Children with disabilities. Nova Science; 2017.
7. D. Nazer , V.J. Palusci, P.Brennan. Illustrated Clinical Cases: Non-Accidental Injury. V.J. Palusci, P. Brennan , D. Nazer,
editor(s). London: Taylor & Francis Publishing; 2016.
Kids TALK Children's Advocacy Center
40 East Ferry St.
Detroit, MI 4820
