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Robert A. Palermo, DO, FACC

Robert A. Palermo, DO, FACC

Robert A. Palermo, DO, FACC

Robert A. Palermo, DO, FACC, is a pediatric cardiologist in the Cardiac Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Areas of expertise: Fetal echocardiography, Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia

Locations: Cardiac Center, Allentown


215-590-4040

267-426-9600

About Robert A. Palermo, DO, FACC

Robert A. Palermo, DO, FACC, is a pediatric cardiologist in the Cardiac Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As a doctor of osteopathy, he is trained to take a more holistic approach to medicine. “I recognize that a physical abnormality or injury to one part of the body can affect many other parts of the body,” he explains, “so I look at the patient as a whole and don’t just focus on the heart or a single symptom.” 

Dr. Palermo says he chose his area of specialty because of his interest in the physiology of the heart. “With the heart, I love that you can think through where the blood is going and where it’s supposed to go and figure things out from there. My brother is an engineer, so I think I was instilled with that kind of mindset.”

He also enjoys pediatric cardiology because of the opportunity it affords to develop long-term relationships with his patients and their families. “In other fields, you might just see a patient once,” he explains. “In the case of a patient with a congenital heart defect, I get to see a very sick baby recover, go to preschool and high school. It’s very rewarding to help them lead relatively normal lives.” He also points out that he is a native of Philadelphia, so he has a natural connection to the neighborhoods many of his patients are from and the schools they attend.

In addition to treating very young children, Dr. Palermo also specializes in treating children with high cholesterol and hypertension. “It’s the opposite end of the spectrum, working with older children,” he says. “It’s sad how many children today are overweight and obese. We see children as young as 12 years old with high cholesterol, so my focus is on addressing issues related to and resulting from that.”

Dr. Palermo is optimistic about the future of cardiology, particularly as it relates to technological advancements. “Technology is advancing so quickly these days, I envision a lot less invasive procedures for our patients in the future.” He also notes the shift that has taken place in recent years. “In the past, a lot of the focus was on how to keep patients alive,” he explained. “We’ve gotten really good at that and are now focused on what to do when they are 20, 30 and 40 to impact their overall quality of life.”

Titles

Pediatric Cardiologist

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Certifications

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Pediatrics – American Board of Pediatrics

Awards and Honors

2015-2019, Abraham Jacobi Teaching Award in Pediatrics (Nominee), Lehigh Valley Health Network
2014, Young Investigator Award, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
2014, Educational Travel Grant, American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
2014, Research Scholar Day Top Clinical Research Project, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
2013, Superstar Resident, A.I. duPont Hospital for Children
2008, Sigma Sigma Phi - National Osteopathic Honors Society
2006, Parkview Hospital Physicians Scholarship
2005, William Goldman Foundation Scholarship

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

2012-present, American College of Cardiology
2011-present, American Heart Association

Education & training

Medical Degree

DO - Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Residency

Pediatrics - Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE

Fellowship

Pediatric Cardiology - Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Publications

Publications

2015

Palermo Robert A, Palac Hannah L, Wald Eric L, Wainwright Mark S, Costello John M, Eltayeb Osama M, Backer Carl L, Epting Conrad L: Metabolic Uncoupling Following Cardiopulmonary Bypass. Congenital heart disease 10(6): E250-7, Nov-Dec 2015.

2014

Gidding Samuel S, Palermo Robert A, DeLoach Stephanie S, Keith Scott W, Falkner Bonita: Associations of cardiac structure with obesity, blood pressure, inflammation, and insulin resistance in African-American adolescents. Pediatric cardiology 35(2): 307-14, Feb 2014.

Lectures by Invitation

2019

Palermo Robert A. "Syncope and POTS", Pediatric Grand Rounds, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA. Oct 2019.

Palermo Robert A. "The Abnormal Fetal Heart", Lehigh Valley Health Network Annual Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology Symposium, Allentown, PA. Oct 2019.

Palermo Robert A. "Complex Congenital Heart Disease Screening", Osteopathic Medical Education Conference (OMED), Baltimore, MD. Oct 2019.

Palermo Robert A. "Fetal Cardiac Embryology", Lehigh Valley Health Network Annual Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology Symposium, Allentown, PA. July 2019

2018

Palermo Robert A. "Syncope and POTS", Pediatric Grand Rounds, Grand View Hospital, Sellersville, PA. Dec 2018.

Palermo Robert A. "The Fetal Heart", Lehigh Valley Health Network Annual Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology Symposium, Allentown, PA. Oct 2018.

Editorials, Reviews, Chapters

2018

Perez, Yalile and Palermo, Robert A: Coarctation of the Aorta. The 5-Minute Clinical Consult 2018. Domino, FJ (eds.). Wolters Kluwer, 2018.

2015

Palermo RA and Grasso F. Anatomy and Preoperative Physiology of Common Single Ventricle Lesions. In: Jones M, Klugman D, Fitzgerald R, Kohr LM, Costello JC, Berger, JT, Bronicki R ed. Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Handbook. 1st ed. Washington DC: Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Books;2015:132-136.

2011

Palermo RA and Zinn M. Patent Ductus Arteriosus In: McMahon MC and Stryjewski GR ed. Pediatrics A Competency-Based Companion. 1st ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier;2011:552-556.

Patient experience rating

(based on 163 submissions)

  • Clear Explanation
    5 of 5
  • Showed Concern
    5 of 5
  • Included in decisions
    5 of 5
  • Would recommend
    5 of 5
  • Discussion of Proposed Treatment
    5 of 5
Learn about the patient experience rating system

Comments

  • Dr Palermo is excellent

    5 of 5
    May 24, 2024
  • Dr Palermo and his staff were very thorough, even if at points the appointment felt rushed, all our questions were answered

    5 of 5
    May 07, 2024
  • Dr. Palermo was very helpful in explaining next steps.

    5 of 5
    Apr 11, 2024
  • Dr. Palermo was absolutely wonderful. We were extremely nervous and uneasy about our son's condition going into the appointment. Dr took the time to explain in terms we fully understood and put our minds at ease. We left hopeful and optimistic that our baby was going to be just fine.

    5 of 5
    Mar 28, 2024
  • Dr. Palermo is the best cardiologist. He doesn't rush us. He takes his time answering all the questions we have. We are very grateful!

    5 of 5
    Feb 24, 2024
  • Dr Palermo listened to our stories, explained things in more detail. All in all an amazing clinician, knowledgeable, friendly, and professional.

    5 of 5
    Feb 22, 2024
  • Dr. Palermo is always very informative and shows a lot of interest in my son's questions and concerns.

    5 of 5
    Feb 22, 2024
  • Dr. Palermo is a wonderful doctor. He is caring and explains things well. He is easy to understand. He is kind and supportive

    5 of 5
    Dec 30, 2023
  • I appreciate both the consideration and the instructions throughout. The doctor considered all his history and family history.

    5 of 5
    Dec 12, 2023
  • Dr. Palermo is very thorough and never makes you feel rushed. He answers all questions and genuinely seems to care about his patients.

    5 of 5
    Nov 30, 2023
  • Excellent care

    5 of 5
    Nov 21, 2023
  • dr. Palermo is an amazing cardiologist

    5 of 5
    Oct 18, 2023
  • Great dr

    5 of 5
    Sep 23, 2023
  • He showed me a picture of my Daughters heart to help me better understand what he was trying to explain. I trust his judgement since he has been with us since pregnancy.

    5 of 5
    Sep 21, 2023
  • The doctor did a great job of listening to our concerns and also reassuring us that everything was okay with our daughter.

    5 of 5
    Aug 22, 2023
  • Dr. Palarmo listened to all concerns and explained them to myself and my son . He was not rushed , he took his time .

    5 of 5
    Aug 17, 2023
  • Dr. Palermo is always very good about listening and thoroughly answering our questions.

    5 of 5
    Aug 05, 2023
  • We love and trust Dr Palermo. He sees both of my children and is an awesome provider! We are very grateful for how me cares about his patients and communicates with them and parents.

    5 of 5
    Jun 05, 2023
  • I was so grateful to receive the tests and results immediately and not have to wait. Dr. Palermo explained everything to my son his dad and me in a way that we understand and eased our fears and we are so grateful

    5 of 5
    May 25, 2023
  • My concerns and questions were heard, validated, and I was given explanations and visuals for everything we discussed. I was beyond pleased with the discussion at this appointment.

    5 of 5
    May 22, 2023
  • Extremely professional

    5 of 5
    May 19, 2023
  • Excellent care by Dr. Palermo, the nurse and the staff. As always. Amazing care from chop

    5 of 5
    May 18, 2023
  • He was very thorough and kind. Explained things to us so we understood clearly. Made sure all our questions were answered.

    5 of 5
    May 13, 2023
  • Very positive experience. I was able to get an appointment for the day after I called.

    5 of 5
    Apr 13, 2023
  • Dr Palermo is an excellent physician that we completely trust! He is knowledgeable and always has our best interest at hand. We wouldn't go anywhere else!!!

    5 of 5
    Mar 15, 2023
  • Dr. Palermo is a 45- minute drive but I'd take my child back to see him in any time. He listened, he took extensive notes, and he gave great suggestions we never considered. I would highly recommend him to others.

    5 of 5
    Mar 14, 2023
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About the Patient Experience Rating System

The Patient Experience Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown above from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score. We are committed to true transparency. However, to ensure the comments are fair and correctly attributed, we review each one before posting to the website. We exclude entire comments that disclose patient’s protected health information, are off-topic, or include other confidential or inappropriate content. Comments will appear on provider bios only if providers have a minimum number of comments. Comments are shared internally for education purposes to ensure that we are doing our very best for the patients and families for whom we are privileged to care. The comments are submitted by patients and families and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not reflect the views of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

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