Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) has welcomed Board Certified Nephrologist Fadi H. Akoum, MD, FAHA, FACP, to Good Shepherd’s new Nephrology Clinic.
The Nephrology Clinic is located at 600 NW 11th St., Suite E-10, in Hermiston, which is the former location of Good Shepherd’s Urology Clinic. The Urology Clinic has moved to join the General Surgery Clinic located in the Good Shepherd Medical Plaza at 620 NW 11th St., Suite M-202 in Hermiston.
Akoum has more than 15 years of experience caring for patients 18 and older and comes to Good Shepherd from Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Tri-Cities, Wash., where he practiced for several years.
“I’m excited to build Good Shepherd’s Nephrology programs, spanning inpatient and outpatient nephrology and clinical hypertension, and inpatient dialysis care,” shared Dr. Akoum. “I have provided patient-centered renal care in Northeast Oregon and Tri-Cities, Washington, and I plan to continue to do that here in Hermiston until I retire.”
“Nephrology is a service our region has desperately needed,” said GSHCS President & CEO Art Mathisen. “Adding Dr. Akoum, a Clinic Supervisor and two Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) to our team exemplifies our growth and aim to provide more specialty services to our region.”
Prior to graduating in 2008 from University Hospitals of Cleveland in Cleveland, Ohio, as a Fellow in Nephrology and Clinical Hypertension, Akoum finished his Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation Fellowship and his Internal Medicine Residency at the same institution in Cleveland. He is a graduate of the renowned Faculty of Medicine at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon.
His work focuses on treating diseases of the kidneys, chronic and acute, electrolyte imbalances, difficult-to-treat hypertension, post kidney transplant care, and dialysis. The interplay between kidney disease and heart disease, especially heart failure, is an area where Akoum excels, according to Good Shepherd.
“Early diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients at risk for or suffering from kidney disease and hypertension is my focus, and I value working together with my patients and their other healthcare providers to ensure successful treatment plans,” said Akoum.
Akoum believes the role of a nephrologist is crucial in diagnosing and treating kidney problems early, and preventing complications related to the kidneys down the road. “I believe that the kidneys are the ‘smartest’ organs in the body; the most important and integral part of it. Other vital organs depend on the kidneys to filter toxins and waste from the blood to maintain balance in our bodies,” he said.
On a personal note, Akoum fell in love with the Northwest upon moving here with his family from northeast Ohio in 2008. With four past marathons completed, he enjoys long-distance running, but also hiking, biking, and his new passion – playing pickleball.
“I have always been impressed by the friendliness of the people of Hermiston and all of Northeast Oregon, and this is echoed when I interact with the medical group and the staff at Good Shepherd Health Care System. I look forward to the challenge, and the bright future of bringing a new specialty to the Good Shepherd team,” said Akoum.
Good Shepherd’s Nephrology Clinic is welcoming new patients as of January 2, 2024. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Akoum, call 541.667.3661.
To learn more about Akoum’s education and medical services, go online. For more information about Good Shepherd’s Nephrology services, visit the Good Shepherd website.
