Doctor's Bio
Dr. Russell R. Kempker, MD, is a board-certified infectious disease specialist who cares for patients at Grady. He has extensive experience diagnosing, treating, and helping prevent a wide range of infectious diseases, with a special focus on tuberculosis, including drug-resistant forms of the disease.
Dr. Kempker completed his medical degree at the University of Miami and went on to complete his residency and fellowship training in infectious diseases at Emory University. He has been part of the Emory faculty for many years and works closely with Grady’s clinical teams to provide expert, compassionate care.
In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Kempker is active in research aimed at improving treatments for tuberculosis. His work includes studying new TB medications and understanding how genetic changes can lead to drug resistance. He collaborates with partners locally and internationally to advance this important work.
Board Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine
Affiliations
Emory
Education & Training
- Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Residency: Emory University Hospital
Fellowships
Emory University Hospital
Locations and Directions
Ponce De Leon Center
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Extended hours on Thursday
Publications
- Effectiveness of Bedaquiline-, Delamanid- and Linezolid-Containing Regimens in Improving Treatment Outcomes Among Pediatric and Adolescents With Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in the Country of Georgia.
Madzgharashvili T, Lomtadze N, Chincharauli M, Kipiani M, Tukvadze N, Avaliani Z, Blumberg HM, Kempker RR, Imnadze P, Salindri AD, Schechter MC
The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 2026;
PMID: 42661251 - Tongue swab Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra for tuberculosis diagnosis in Ethiopian prisons.
Adane K, Kempker RR, Bobosha K, Meaza A, Blumberg HM
Microbiology spectrum. 2026;
PMID: 42606209 - The Potential Impact of Shortened Treatment for Nonsevere Pediatric Tuberculosis in the State of Georgia.
Dubick C, Kempker RR, Schechter MC
Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. 2026;
PMID: 42479675 - Finding and managing a mentorship team: Tips for success for early career infectious diseases physician-scientists.
Kempker RR, Comeau D, Smith AGC, Vento TJ
The Journal of infectious diseases. 2026;
PMID: 42462171 - Plasma multiomics distinguishes pulmonary tuberculosis from other respiratory infections.
Mousavian Z, Nabeemeeah F, Nellis MM, Gandhi NR, Kempker RR, Jones DP, Johnson H, Islam M, Magee MJ, Martinson N, Sharma AA, Collins JM
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences. 2026;
PMID: 41891025 - Overcoming structural barriers to tuberculosis treatment in Africa through digital technologies.
Manyazewal T, Kempker RR, Temesgen Z, Orrell C, Ngadaya E, Musiimenta A, Njagi LN, Subrayen P, Woldeamanuel Y, Mohammed H, Fekadu A, Newport MJ, Marconi VC
The Lancet. Microbe. 2026;7(6):101399.
PMID: 41839194 - Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis depletes host fatty acids in humans and non-human primates.
Collins JM, Wassie L, Bobosha K, Gandhi NR, Liu KH, Day CL, Rengarajan J, Kempker RR, Lau MSY, Nellis M, Nizam A, Maner-Smith K, Ortlund EA, Sakai S, Kauffman KD, Magee MJ, Jones DP, Ernst JD, Barber DL, Blumberg HM,
EBioMedicine. 2026;
PMID: 41763182 - Weight gain during tuberculosis treatment increases the risk of post-tuberculosis metabolic syndrome.
Salindri AD, Avaliani T, Gujabidze M, Goginashvili L, Vashakidze S, Avaliani Z, Auld SC, Collins JM, Andrews JR, Kempker RR, Kornfeld H, Kipiani M, Magee MJ
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences. 2025;
PMID: 41358284 - Targeting Tryptophan Metabolism for Tuberculosis Biomarkers and Host-Directed Therapy.
Collins JM, Tukvadze N, Kempker RR
The Journal of infectious diseases. 2026;233(2):235-243.
PMID: 41037490 - A metabolic syndrome: Understanding host factors that drive mortality in tuberculosis meningitis.
Collins JM, Kempker RR
Med (New York, N.Y.). 2025;6(9):100705.
PMID: 40945505
PLANNING
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Whether you’re a patient or you’re visiting one, a little planning beforehand can make your visit to Grady easier and more comfortable. Here, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your visit, including an appointment checklist, admissions information, dining options, and much more.