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Joseph M. Bliss, M.D., Ph.D.

Joseph M. Bliss, M.D., Ph.D.

Pediatrics , Neonatology

UR Medicine Faculty The University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group (URMFG) consists of over 900 specialist and primary care providers spanning 19 departments. URMFG is certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Accountable Health Partner Accountable Health Partners (AHP) is a network of over 2,000 community and UR medical faculty and a dozen leading hospitals throughout the region. AHP offers a full range of care.
Accepting New Patients

Contact

Office (585) 275-9767
Fax (585) 461-3614
Administrative (585) 275-2972

About Me

Dr. Bliss is a neonatologist who cares for newborns requiring intensive care at both URMC and Rochester General Hospital. He works closely with all the members of the inter-disciplinary team in neonatology to provide evidence-based and contemporary, family-centered care to these patients and their f...
Dr. Bliss is a neonatologist who cares for newborns requiring intensive care at both URMC and Rochester General Hospital. He works closely with all the members of the inter-disciplinary team in neonatology to provide evidence-based and contemporary, family-centered care to these patients and their families. Dr. Bliss is particularly interested in infectious diseases and the newborn’s response and in optimizing nutrition of the premature infant.

Dr. Bliss' research has been focused on neonatal infectious disease and host response. He has had a particular interest in neonatal candidiasis including virulence factors of Candida species and unique susceptibilities of the neonatal host. He has also conducted clinical research related to strategies to reduce risk and optimally treat neonatal infections as well as the approach to parenteral nutrition in the setting of extreme prematurity.

Professional Background

Dr. Bliss graduated with honors from Ithaca College and received his MD and PhD through the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Rochester. After completing his training in Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at URMC, he joined the faculty at the Warren Alpert Medical Scho...
Dr. Bliss graduated with honors from Ithaca College and received his MD and PhD through the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of Rochester. After completing his training in Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at URMC, he joined the faculty at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University in 2003. In addition to an active translational and clinical research program, he served as the program director for the fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine from 2017 until he returned to join the faculty at the University of Rochester in 2023.

Certified Specialties

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine - American Board of Pediatrics

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Pediatrics, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2000 - 2003

Residency, Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center. 1999 - 2000

Internship, Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center. 1998 - 1999

Education

MD | University of Rochester School of Medicine/Dentistry. 1998

PHD | University of Rochester School of Medicine/Dentistry. 1998

Awards

S.W.A.N. Award. 2010

Faculty Young Investigator Award Finalist. 2007

Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Award Recipient. 2006

Morning Report Most Valuable Resident. 2000

Award for Excellence in Neonatology. 1999

Alpha Omega Alpha. 1998

Robert Kates Award for Excellence in Clinical Medicine and Research. 1998

Publications

Journal Articles

Opportunistic dried blood spot sampling validates and optimizes a pediatric population pharmacokinetic model of metronidazole.

Randell RL, Balevic SJ, Greenberg RG, Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Thompson EJ, Venkatachalam S, Smith MJ, Bendel C, Bliss JM, Chaaban H, Chhabra R, Dammann CEL, Downey LC, Hornik C, Hussain N, Laughon MM, Lavery A, Moya F, Saxonhouse M, Sokol GM, Trembath A, Weitkamp J-H, Hornik CP

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy.. 2024 March 13 :e0153323. Epub 03/13/2024.

Neonatal sepsis and cardiovascular dysfunction I: mechanisms and pathophysiology.

Duignan SM, Lakshminrusimha S, Armstrong K, de Boode WP, El-Khuffash A, Franklin O, Molloy EJ,

Pediatric research.. 2023 December 4 Epub 12/04/2023.

Less is more: Antibiotics at the beginning of life.

Stocker M, Klingenberg C, Navér L, Nordberg V, Berardi A, El Helou S, Fusch G, Bliss JM, Lehnick D, Dimopoulou V, Guerina N, Seliga-Siwecka J, Maton P, Lagae D, Mari J, Janota J, Agyeman PKA, Pfister R, Latorre G, Maffei G, Laforgia N, Mózes E, Størdal K, Strunk T, Giannoni E

Nature communications.. 2023 April 2714 (1):2423. Epub 04/27/2023.

Bi-fluorescent infection enables single-cell analysis of intracellular killing .

Hinman KD, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Cohen JT, Mundy M, Bliss JM, Horswill AR, Lefort CT

Frontiers in immunology.. 2023 14 :1089111. Epub 01/23/2023.

Analysis of Antibiotic Exposure and Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Europe, North America, and Australia.

Giannoni E, Dimopoulou V, Klingenberg C, Navér L, Nordberg V, Berardi A, El Helou S, Fusch G, Bliss JM, Lehnick D, Guerina N, Seliga-Siwecka J, Maton P, Lagae D, Mari J, Janota J, Agyeman PKA, Pfister R, Latorre G, Maffei G, Laforgia N, Mózes E, Størdal K, Strunk T, Stocker M,

JAMA network open.. 2022 November 15 (11):e2243691. Epub 11/01/2022.

Minimal Effects of Medium-Chain Triglyceride Supplementation on the Intestinal Microbiome Composition of Premature Infants: A Single-Center Pilot Study.

Romo JA, Arsenault AB, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Bliss JM, Kumamoto CA

Nutrients.. 2022 May 2214 (10)Epub 05/22/2022.

Neonatal sepsis: a systematic review of core outcomes from randomised clinical trials.

Henry CJ, Semova G, Barnes E, Cotter I, Devers T, Rafaee A, Slavescu A, Cathain NO, McCollum D, Roche E, Mockler D, Allen J, Meehan J, Klingenberg C, Latour JM, van den Hoogen A, Strunk T, Giannoni E, Schlapbach LJ, Degtyareva M, Plötz FB, de Boode WP, Naver L, Wynn JL, Küster H, Janota J, Keij FM, Reiss IKM, Bliss JM, Polin R, Koenig JM, Turner MA, Gale C, Molloy EJ,

Pediatric research.. 2022 March 91 (4):735-742. Epub 01/07/2022.

Implementation of a Nutrition Care Bundle and Improved Weight Gain of Extremely Preterm Infants to 36 Weeks Postmenstrual Age.

McKinley LT, Przystac L, Tucker R, Trail-Burns E, Vohr BR, Laptook AR, Bliss JM

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2022 February 241 :42-47.e2. Epub 10/21/2021.

Decreased Antibiotic Exposure for Suspected Early-Onset Sepsis in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Through Implementation of an Antimicrobial Time-out.

Muller MR, Mahadeo AM, Mayne JP, Mennella JM, Mun PA, Tucker R, Bliss JM

The journal of pediatric pharmacology and therapeutics : JPPT : the official journal of PPAG.. 2022 27 (8):746-749. Epub 11/17/2022.

Special Issue: Host Defense against Fungi.

Bliss JM

Journal of fungi.. 2021 December 97 (12)Epub 12/09/2021.

Antibiotic Safety and Effectiveness in Premature Infants With Complicated Intraabdominal Infections.

Smith MJ, Boutzoukas A, Autmizguine J, Hudak ML, Zinkhan E, Bloom BT, Heresi G, Lavery AP, Courtney SE, Sokol GM, Cotten CM, Bliss JM, Mendley S, Bendel C, Dammann CEL, Weitkamp JH, Saxonhouse MA, Mundakel GT, Debski J, Sharma G, Erinjeri J, Gao J, Benjamin DK, Hornik CP, Smith PB, Cohen-Wolkowiez M,

The Pediatric infectious disease journal.. 2021 June 140 (6):550-555. Epub 1900 01 01.

Adhesion of Candida parapsilosis to Bovine Serum Albumin under Fluid Shear.

Shaw SK, Longley SJ, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Bliss JM

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE.. 2021 May 13 (171)Epub 05/13/2021.

Transcription Profiles Associated with Inducible Adhesion in Candida parapsilosis.

Bliss JM, Tollefson GA, Cuevas A, Longley SJ, Neale MN, Uzun A, Shaw SK

mSphere.. 2021 February 106 (1)Epub 02/10/2021.

Increased placental expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the receptor of SARS-CoV-2, associated with hypoxia in twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS).

Mao Q, Chu S, Shapiro S, Bliss JM, De Paepe ME

Placenta.. 2021 February 105 :7-13. Epub 01/15/2021.

Challenges in developing a consensus definition of neonatal sepsis.

McGovern M, Giannoni E, Kuester H, Turner MA, van den Hoogen A, Bliss JM, Koenig JM, Keij FM, Mazela J, Finnegan R, Degtyareva M, Simons SHP, de Boode WP, Strunk T, Reiss IKM, Wynn JL, Molloy EJ,

Pediatric research.. 2020 July 88 (1):14-26. Epub 03/03/2020.

Toward the elimination of bias in Pediatric Research.

Bearer C, Agostoni C, Anand KJS, Ambalavanan N, Bhandari V, Bliss JM, Bloomfield F, Bonifacio SL, Buhimschi I, Cilio MR, Coppes M, Czinn SJ, El-Khuffash A, Embleton N, Felderhoff-Müser U, Ferriero DM, Florin T, Fuentes-Afflick E, Gardner W, Gospe SM, Gunn A, Gressens P, Guissani D, Haiden N, Hauptman M, Kim KS, Klebanoff M, Lachman P, Lanphear B, Ozen S, Roehr C, Roland D, Rosenblum N, Schwarz M, Staiano A, Stroustrup A, Valente EM, Wilson-Costello D, Wynn J, Molloy E

Pediatric research.. 2019 December 86 (6):680-681. Epub 09/18/2019.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preterm Infants With Retinopathy of Prematurity by Treatment.

Natarajan G, Shankaran S, Nolen TL, Sridhar A, Kennedy KA, Hintz SR, Phelps DL, DeMauro SB, Carlo WA, Gantz MG, Das A, Greenberg RG, Younge NE, Bliss JM, Seabrook R, Sánchez PJ, Wyckoff MH, Bell EF, Vohr BR, Higgins RD

Pediatrics.. 2019 August 144 (2)Epub 07/23/2019.

Candida parapsilosis: from Genes to the Bedside.

Tóth R, Nosek J, Mora-Montes HM, Gabaldon T, Bliss JM, Nosanchuk JD, Turner SA, Butler G, Vágvölgyi C, Gácser A

Clinical microbiology reviews.. 2019 March 2032 (2)Epub 02/27/2019.

Galectin-3 expression and effect of supplementation in neonatal mice with disseminated Candida albicans infection.

Verma P, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Tucker R, Mao Q, De Paepe ME, Bliss JM

Pediatric research.. 2019 March 85 (4):527-532. Epub 01/16/2019.

Dietary Supplementation With Medium-Chain Triglycerides Reduces Candida Gastrointestinal Colonization in Preterm Infants.

Arsenault AB, Gunsalus KTW, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Przystac L, DeAngelis EJ, Hurley ME, Vorel ES, Tucker R, Matthan NR, Lichtenstein AH, Kumamoto CA, Bliss JM

The Pediatric infectious disease journal.. 2019 February 38 (2):164-168. Epub 1900 01 01.

Pathology of Neonatal Non- albicans Candidiasis: Autopsy Study and Literature Review.

Hemedez C, Trail-Burns E, Mao Q, Chu S, Shaw SK, Bliss JM, De Paepe ME

Pediatric and developmental pathology : the official journal of the Society for Pediatric Pathology and the Paediatric Pathology Society.. 2019 22 (2):98-105. Epub 09/07/2018.

Role of the Inducible Adhesin CpAls7 in Binding of Candida parapsilosis to the Extracellular Matrix under Fluid Shear.

Neale MN, Glass KA, Longley SJ, Kim DJ, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Wortzel JD, Shaw SK, Bliss JM

Infection and immunity.. 2018 April 86 (4)Epub 03/22/2018.

Growth and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Early, High-Dose Parenteral Amino Acid Intake in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Balakrishnan M, Jennings A, Przystac L, Phornphutkul C, Tucker R, Vohr B, Stephens BE, Bliss JM

JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition.. 2018 March 42 (3):597-606. Epub 12/12/2017.

RNA-Seq reveals a central role for lectin, C1q and von Willebrand factor A domains in the defensive glue of a terrestrial slug.

Smith AM, Papaleo C, Reid CW, Bliss JM

Biofouling.. 2017 October 33 (9):741-754. Epub 09/13/2017.

What – and Why – the Neonatologist Should Know about Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome

Bliss, J.M.; Carr, S.R.; De Paepe, M.E.; Luks, F.I.

NeoReviews. 2017; 18(1): e22-e32.

Protects Premature Intestinal Epithelial Cells from Invasion and Damage by .

Gonia S, Archambault L, Shevik M, Altendahl M, Fellows E, Bliss JM, Wheeler RT, Gale CA

Frontiers in pediatrics.. 2017 5 :54. Epub 03/22/2017.

Editorial: The Neonatal Immune System: A Unique Host-Microbial Interface.

Bliss JM, Wynn JL

Frontiers in pediatrics.. 2017 5 :274. Epub 12/21/2017.

NETosis in Neonates: Evidence of a Reactive Oxygen Species-Independent Pathway in Response to Fungal Challenge.

Byrd AS, O'Brien XM, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Parisi VE, Hirakawa MP, Bliss JM, Reichner JS

The Journal of infectious diseases.. 2016 February 15213 (4):634-9. Epub 09/02/2015.

Host Defense Proteins in Breast Milk and Neonatal Yeast Colonization.

Chow BD, Reardon JL, Perry EO, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Tucker R, Bliss JM

Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association.. 2016 February 32 (1):168-73. Epub 06/26/2015.

Neonatal Candidiasis: New Insights into an Old Problem at a Unique Host-Pathogen Interface.

Arsenault AB, Bliss JM

Current fungal infection reports.. 2015 December 19 (4):246-252. Epub 09/07/2015.

Candida parapsilosis: an emerging pathogen developing its own identity.

Bliss JM

Virulence.. 2015 6 (2):109-11. Epub 1900 01 01.

Protection of Candida parapsilosis from neutrophil killing through internalization by human endothelial cells.

Glass KA, Longley SJ, Bliss JM, Shaw SK

Virulence.. 2015 6 (5):504-14. Epub 1900 01 01.

Viral respiratory tract infections in the neonatal intensive care unit: the VIRIoN-I study.

Ronchi A, Michelow IC, Chapin KC, Bliss JM, Pugni L, Mosca F, Sánchez PJ

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2014 October 165 (4):690-6. Epub 07/12/2014.

Expressed Breast Milk as a Predictor of Neonatal Yeast Colonization in an Intensive Care Setting.

Chow BD, Reardon JR, Perry EO, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Tucker R, Bliss JM

Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.. 2014 September 3 (3):213-20. Epub 01/15/2014.

Phenotypic consequences of LYS4 gene disruption in Candida albicans.

Gabriel I, Kur K, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Pulickal AS, Bliss JM, Milewski S

Yeast.. 2014 August 31 (8):299-308. Epub 07/11/2014.

Galectin-3 plays an important role in protection against disseminated candidiasis.

Linden JR, De Paepe ME, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Bliss JM

Medical mycology.. 2013 August 51 (6):641-51. Epub 03/14/2013.

Human endothelial cells internalize Candida parapsilosis via N-WASP-mediated endocytosis.

Shintaku T, Glass KA, Hirakawa MP, Longley SJ, Bennett RJ, Bliss JM, Shaw SK

Infection and immunity.. 2013 August 81 (8):2777-87. Epub 05/20/2013.

The role of galectin-3 in phagocytosis of Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis by human neutrophils.

Linden JR, Kunkel D, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Bliss JM

Cellular microbiology.. 2013 July 15 (7):1127-42. Epub 01/20/2013.

Candida parapsilosis is a significant neonatal pathogen: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pammi M, Holland L, Butler G, Gacser A, Bliss JM

The Pediatric infectious disease journal.. 2013 May 32 (5):e206-16. Epub 1900 01 01.

Medical Mycology and the Chemistry Classroom: Germinating Student Interest in Organic Chemistry

Bliss, J.M.; Reid, C.W.

Journal of Chemical Education. 2013; 90: 1320-1324.

Candida virulence properties and adverse clinical outcomes in neonatal candidiasis.

Bliss JM, Wong AY, Bhak G, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Taylor S, Tan S, Stoll BJ, Higgins RD, Shankaran S, Benjamin DK,

The Journal of pediatrics.. 2012 September 161 (3):441-447.e2. Epub 04/14/2012.

Candida parapsilosis and the neonate: epidemiology, virulence and host defense in a unique patient setting.

Chow BD, Linden JR, Bliss JM

Expert review of anti-infective therapy.. 2012 August 10 (8):935-46. Epub 1900 01 01.

Blood urea nitrogen and serum bicarbonate in extremely low birth weight infants receiving higher protein intake in the first week after birth.

Balakrishnan M, Tucker R, Stephens BE, Bliss JM

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association.. 2011 August 31 (8):535-9. Epub 02/10/2011.

A murine model for disseminated candidiasis in neonates.

Tsai NY, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Tucker R, Bliss JM

Pediatric research.. 2011 March 69 (3):189-93. Epub 1900 01 01.

Deletion of Candida albicans SPT6 is not lethal but results in defective hyphal growth.

Al-Rawi N, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Bliss JM

Fungal genetics and biology : FG & B.. 2010 April 47 (4):288-96. Epub 01/12/2010.

High efficiency opsonin-independent phagocytosis of Candida parapsilosis by human neutrophils.

Linden JR, Maccani MA, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Bliss JM

Medical mycology.. 2010 March 48 (2):355-64. Epub 1900 01 01.

Oxidative burst and phagocytosis of neonatal neutrophils confronting Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis.

Destin KG, Linden JR, Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Bliss JM

Early human development.. 2009 August 85 (8):531-5. Epub 05/28/2009.

Inhibition of Candida albicans adhesion by recombinant human antibody single-chain variable fragment specific for Als3p.

Laforce-Nesbitt SS, Sullivan MA, Hoyer LL, Bliss JM

FEMS immunology and medical microbiology.. 2008 November 54 (2):195-202. Epub 07/24/2008.

A novel mutation of the fibrillin-1 gene in a newborn with severe Marfan syndrome.

Kochilas L, Gundogan F, Atalay M, Bliss JM, Vatta M, Pena LS, Abuelo D

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association.. 2008 April 28 (4):303-5. Epub 1900 01 01.

Vertical and horizontal transmission of Candida albicans in very low birth weight infants using DNA fingerprinting techniques.

Bliss JM, Basavegowda KP, Watson WJ, Sheikh AU, Ryan RM

The Pediatric infectious disease journal.. 2008 March 27 (3):231-5. Epub 1900 01 01.

Toxicity to Candida albicans mediated by human serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Bliss JM, Laforce-Nesbitt SS

FEMS immunology and medical microbiology.. 2006 April 46 (3):452-60. Epub 1900 01 01.

Susceptibility of Candida species to photodynamic effects of photofrin.

Bliss JM, Bigelow CE, Foster TH, Haidaris CG

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy.. 2004 June 48 (6):2000-6. Epub 1900 01 01.

Enhanced phagocytosis of Candida species mediated by opsonization with a recombinant human antibody single-chain variable fragment.

Wellington M, Bliss JM, Haidaris CG

Infection and immunity.. 2003 December 71 (12):7228-31. Epub 1900 01 01.

Antifungal pharmacotherapy for neonatal candidiasis.

Bliss JM, Wellington M, Gigliotti F

Seminars in perinatology.. 2003 October 27 (5):365-74. Epub 1900 01 01.

Differentiation of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis by using recombinant human antibody single-chain variable fragments specific for hyphae.

Bliss JM, Sullivan MA, Malone J, Haidaris CG

Journal of clinical microbiology.. 2003 March 41 (3):1152-60. Epub 1900 01 01.

Recombinant human antibody single chain variable fragments reactive with Candida albicans surface antigens.

Haidaris CG, Malone J, Sherrill LA, Bliss JM, Gaspari AA, Insel RA, Sullivan MA

Journal of immunological methods.. 2001 November 1257 (1-2):185-202. Epub 1900 01 01.

Evidence that KpsT, the ATP-binding component of an ATP-binding cassette transporter, is exposed to the periplasm and associates with polymer during translocation of the polysialic acid capsule of Escherichia coli K1.

Bliss JM, Silver RP

Journal of bacteriology.. 1997 February 179 (4):1400-3. Epub 1900 01 01.

Coating the surface: a model for expression of capsular polysialic acid in Escherichia coli K1.

Bliss JM, Silver RP

Molecular microbiology.. 1996 July 21 (2):221-31. Epub 1900 01 01.

Polysialic acid export in Escherichia coli K1: the role of KpsT, the ATP-binding component of an ABC transporter, in chain translocation.

Bliss JM, Garon CF, Silver RP

Glycobiology.. 1996 June 6 (4):445-52. Epub 1900 01 01.

Nucleotide sequence and mutational analysis of the gene encoding KpsD, a periplasmic protein involved in transport of polysialic acid in Escherichia coli K1.

Wunder DE, Aaronson W, Hayes SF, Bliss JM, Silver RP

Journal of bacteriology.. 1994 July 176 (13):4025-33. Epub 1900 01 01.

Books

Fetal and Neonatal Physiology (2021)

Chapter: Normal and Abnormal Neutrophil Physiology in the Newborn

Authors: Koenig, JM; Bliss, JM; Sperandio, M

Publisher: Elsevier 2021

The Neonatal Immune System: A Unique Host-Microbial Interface (2018)

Authors: Multiple

Publisher: Frontiers Media 2018

Fetal and Neonatal Physiology (2016)

Chapter: Normal and Abnormal Neutrophil Physiology in the Newborn

Authors: Koenig, JM; Bliss, JM; Mariscalco, MM

Publisher: Elsevier 2016

Evidence-Based Handbook of Neonatology (2011)

Chapter: Retinopathy of Prematurity: Current Concepts in Pathogenesis and Treatment

Authors: Bliss, JM

Publisher: World Scientific 2011

Textbook of Clinical Pediatrics (2011)

Chapter: Infections of the Fetus and Newborn

Authors: Bliss, JM

Publisher: Springer Link 2011