METAIRIE, LA, January 29, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Rima El-Abassi, MD, has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

From 2008 to 2012, Dr El-Abassi trained as a neurology resident and Clinical Neurophysiology fellow at LSU under the direct mentorship of Dr John England and Dr Austin Sumner. Dr El-Abassi is an established expert in neuromuscular medicine and has served as a Neuromuscular Specialist at Louisiana State University since 2012. In this capacity, she is responsible for teaching residents and fellows, conducting bedside teaching rounds, providing outpatient clinical care and managing inpatient service duties. She also serves as the Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship program director, the Director of the ALS Centre of Excellence, and the Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association clinic at Louisiana State University.

Dr El-Abassi's dedication to her field is evident in her commitment to traditional clinical skills, emphasising direct examination and patient interaction over reliance on advanced imaging or laboratory tests, an approach that fosters deep connections with patients and utilises clinical intuition to inform diagnosis and treatment. She also excelled as a neuromuscular specialist at LSU, where she helps advance patient care and medical education in her specialty. Dr El-Abassi cites her work in neuromuscular medicine as her most notable achievement thus far, and she is proud that her contributions reflect her passion for continuous learning and hands-on practice.

She earned a Doctor of Medicine from Comenius University in Czechoslovakia in 1998, and she holds certification in Neurology from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in 2010. Dr El-Abassi was recognised as a Clinical Neurophysiology Fellow at Louisiana State University Health Science Centre (now LSU Health New Orleans), following the completion of her residency at the LSU School of Medicine in 2012. She has held a certification with the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine since 2020.

Before accepting her appointment at LSU, Dr El-Abassi thrived through the first two years of Neurology residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Centre from 2006 to 2008. During that period, she developed her clinical acumen and clinical Neurology building block of internal medicine. Earlier in her career, Dr El-Abassi practised as an internal medicine specialist in the Middle East, gaining foundational experience through exposure to complex neurology cases, which sparked a lasting interest in the field.

A passion for continuous learning prompted Dr El-Abassi to pursue academic excellence. Dr El-Abassi maintains active membership in prestigious organisations, including the American Academy of Neurology, the American Academy of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and the American Neurological Association. She serves on review committees of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Driven to serve, Dr El-Abassi's civic engagement includes involvement with the ALS Association, Feminist movements, Black Lives Matter, and Minorities causes, evidence of her enduring commitment, beyond clinical practice, to advocacy for equality that transcends social classes, religious and ethnic differences.

The foundation for Dr El-Abassi's career was forged by the encouragement of her father, who inspired and supported her in pursuing higher education in Europe—defying traditions for women at that time. Determined to become the first female doctor in her family, she sought to demonstrate the profound impact women could have on society through medicine. Notably, the early exposure to challenging neurology cases as an internal medicine specialist fueled Dr El-Abassi's abiding passion for neurology, which grew alongside advancements in research and treatment options after 2015.

Mentorship has played a pivotal role in Dr El-Abassi's success. She credits Dr John England, chair of the neurology department at Louisiana State University, for his unwavering support during critical periods when she balanced professional growth with family responsibilities. His guidance included introducing her to key contacts, fostering opportunities for advancement and encouraging scholarly contributions while maintaining respect for her personal commitments. Additionally, Dr Austin Sumner's classical approach to medicine left a lasting impression on Dr El-Abassi during their brief collaboration early in her tenure at LSU, and she acknowledges the support of her husband, who adjusted his schedule to help care for their children during demanding phases of her career.

Dr El-Abassi's contributions have been acknowledged with several honours, including her selection as a nominee by the National Epi-Fellows Foundation in 2010, the Certificate of Recognition Outstanding Clinical Teaching Award from the LSU Neurology Department in 2016, the Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contribution Towards Resident Teaching from the same department in 2017, 2023 and from the Tulane Neurology Department in 2024. In addition to these achievements, Dr El-Abassi has contributed articles to professional trade journals, disseminating key insights from her academic publications and clinical experience across the medical community.

Dr El-Abassi balances a vibrant personal life with professional excellence. She enjoys attending theatre and ballet performances, listening to music and reading history. Together with her husband—a pulmonary critical care physician—she has three children and aspires to make a positive impact on the future of humanity. Looking toward the future, Dr El-Abassi intends to deepen her research engagement within neuromuscular medicine by advancing treatment options and enhancing patient care through collaborations with societies focused on medication development. Additionally, she will continue to inspire future clinicians to prioritise basic science, compassionate doctor-patient relationships, and clinical skills.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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