
Fadya El Rayess
Fadya El Rayess
Professor of Family Medicine
Overview
Fadya El Rayess, MD, MPH (She/Her/Hers) is Program Director of the Brown Family Medicine Residency. She joined the residency leadership team in 2011, serving as Assistant and Associate Residency Director before becoming Residency Director in 2017. A National Health Service Corps Scholar, Dr. El Rayess worked in RI community health centers for 12 years prior to joining the residency leadership. She is a 1999 graduate of the University of New Mexico Family Medicine Residency and completed a Faculty Leadership Development Fellowship at Brown. She also has an MPH in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from George Washington University. Her clinical interests include global health, advocacy, health disparities, anti-racism, reproductive health, LGBTQ health and care of immigrants and refugees. She is the Co-Director of the Scholarly Concentration on Caring for the Underserved at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. In 2009, Dr. El Rayess and her family spent a year in Lesotho, Africa, where –as assistant residency director – she provided educational support for the development of a Family Medicine Residency in a small, resource-limited medical school.
Brown Affiliations
Research Areas
On the Web
Publications Visualize it
| Adler B, Rosenberg M, Kimball B, Beauregard B, Teck J, El Rayess F, Szkwarko D. "Implementing the Project ECHO Model to Increase Clinicians' Confidence in Managing Hepatitis C Virus in Primary Care." Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians, no. 45, 2026, pp. 22-28. |
| El Rayess F. "She shouldn't have died." Family practice, vol. 42, no. 4, 2025. |
| Wheat, Santina J.G., Ravenna, Paul A., Wright, Katherine M., Tepperberg, Suki, Ravenna, Paul A., Waits, John B., El Rayess, Fadya, Martonffy, A. Ildiko, Ravenna, Paul A., El Rayess, Fadya. "Evaluation of Family Medicine Residency Programs for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Milestones." Family Medicine, 2023. |
| Gallo Marin B, Maymone MBC, El Rayess F, Telang GH. "Kaposi Sarcoma Associated with Tofacitinib Use in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis." Rhode Island medical journal (2013), vol. 106, no. 7, 2023, pp. 18-20. |
| Ravenna, Paul A., Wheat, Santina, El Rayess, Fadya, McCrea, Leon, Martonffy, A. Ildiko, Marshall, Cara, Tepperberg, Suki, Friedman, Rachel S.C., Barr, Wendy B. "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Milestones: Creation of a Tool to Evaluate Graduate Medical Education Programs." Journal of Graduate Medical Education, vol. 14, no. 2, 2022, pp. 166-170. |
| Szkwarko D, Green C, Goldman RE, Nothnagle M, Czech SJ, Roberts MB, Brown J, El Rayess F. "From HRSA Grant to Medical Practice: Improving Care for Children and Adolescents in a Family Medicine Residency Clinic." Rhode Island medical journal (2013), vol. 105, no. 4, 2022, pp. 57-62. |
| Namek S, Sahhar F, Kureshi S, El Rayess F, Mishori M. "Integrating refugee doctors into host health-care systems." Forced Migration Review, vol. June, no. 58, 2018, pp. 16-19. |
| Johnston EM, Szkwarko D, Evensen AE, Klee D, Valdman O, Cayley WE, El Rayess F. "An Assessment of International Family Medicine Faculty Development Priorities: Perspectives From the American Academy of Family Physicians Global Health Workshop." PRiMER (Leawood, Kan.), vol. 1, 2017, pp. 11. |
| Rayess FE, Filip A, Doubeni A, Wilson C, Haq C, Debay M, Anandarajah G, Heffron W, Jayasekera N, Larson P, Dahlman B, Valdman O, Hunt V. "Family Medicine Global Health Fellowship Competencies: A Modified Delphi Study." Family Medicine, vol. 49, no. 2, 2017, pp. 106-113. |
| El Rayess F, Gandhi M, Mennillo H. "Mark, Set, Go! School-Based Nutrition and Physical Activity Program: A Five-Year Evaluation." Rhode Island medical journal (2013), vol. 100, no. 2, 2017, pp. 39-44. |
| DeAndrade S, El Rayess F, Goldman R. "Perspectives on Hypertension in the New England Cape Verdean Community." Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, vol. 5, no. 1, 2017, pp. 162-169. |
| Gandhi, Meeka, Feller, Edward, El Rayess, Fadya. "Art and movement in nutrition education." Medical Education, vol. 50, no. 11, 2016, pp. 1160-1160. |
| Anandarajah G, Furey C, Chandran R, Goldberg A, El Rayess F, Ashley D, Goldman RE. "Effects of adding a new PCMH block rotation and resident team to existing longitudinal training within a certified PCMH: primary care residents' attitudes, knowledge, and experience." Advances in Medical Education and Practice, vol. 7, 2016, pp. 457-66. |
| Anandarajah G, Gupta P, Jain N, El Rayess F, Goldman R. "Scholarly development for primary care residents." The Clinical Teacher, vol. 13, no. 6, 2016, pp. 415-421. |
| El Rayess F, Goldman R, Furey C, Chandran R, Goldberg AR, Anandarajah G. "Patient-Centered Medical Home Knowledge and Attitudes of Residents and Faculty: Certification Is Just the First Step." Journal of Graduate Medical Education, vol. 7, no. 4, 2015, pp. 580-8. |
| Colon-Gonzalez MC, El Rayess F, Guevara S, Anandarajah G. "Successes, challenges and needs regarding rural health medical education in continental Central America: a literature review and narrative synthesis." Rural and remote health, vol. 15, no. 3, 2015, pp. 3361. |
| Anthony D, El Rayess F, Esquibel AY, George P, Taylor J. "Building a workforce of physicians to care for underserved patients." Rhode Island medical journal (2013), vol. 97, no. 9, 2014, pp. 31-5. |
| Mennillo HA, El Rayess F. "Successes and challenges to implementing an early childhood supplemental feeding program in rural Honduras: a qualitative study." Rhode Island medical journal (2013), vol. 97, no. 4, 2014, pp. 19-23. |
| East JA, El Rayess F. "Pediatricians' approach to the health care of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth." Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 23, no. 4, 1998, pp. 191-3. |
Research
Research Overview
Funded Research
2025-2030 HRSA, Residency Training in Primary Care Grant # T35HP55295: STREET MEDICINE: Primary Care Training (Grant writer and advisory committee)
2020-2026 HRSA, Residency Training in Primary Care, Grant # D58HP37575: TELEHEALTH RI: Primary Care Training in Telemedicine,
Rural and Underserved Health, and Opioid Use Disorder (PI)
2015-20 HRSA Primary Care Training Grant T0BHP28563: Transforming Family-Centered Primary Care for Children & Adolescents in Underserved Communities (PI)
2014-2015 Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Foundation Group Project Grant: for Competencies for Family Medicine Global Health Fellows (PI)
2014 Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant for Elizabeth Baldwin School (PI)
2014 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grant: school garden at Elizabeth Baldwin Elementary School (PI)
2011-2012 Global Health Initiative: Frameworks in Global Health Grant for Global (PI)
Scholarly Work
Abbreviated List of Invited Presentations:
- Goldman R, Holler J, Stebbins P, El Rayess F. New curriculum to teach FM residents Geographic Information System (GIS) applications to identify needs of at-risk children and their families. Works in progress presentation at Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference May 2017.
- El Rayess F, Casselman J, Tobin-Tyler E, Dietrich K, Stebbins P. How to incorporate a Medical Legal Clinic and Curriculum in to a Family Medicine Residency. Seminar presentation at Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference May 2017.
- Klee D, Valdman O, El Rayess F, Johnston E, Evansen A, Szkwarko D. Facilitating Global Faculty Development: Mentorship, Resource Evaluation and Toolkit Development. Seminar presentation at Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference May 2017.
- Boisvert S, El Rayess F. FAMILY WELLNESS: Introducing Lifestyle Modification through a family dynamic. Poster presentation at Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference May 2017.
- Nothnagle M, El Rayess F, Stebbins P, Demaris S, Brown J, Goldman R, Roque J. Using the PCMH Model to Transform Care of Children and Adolescents in Underserved Communities. Poster presentation at Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference May 2017.
- Goldman R, El Rayess F, Thomson C, Brown J, Stebbins P, Nothnagle M. Fostering Family Medicine Residents? Community Engagement. Breakfast presentation at Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference May 2017.
- El Rayess F. Incorporating Clinical Metrics in Family-Centered Primary Care. HRCA PCTE Technical Assistance Webinar. Sept 20, 2017.
- Sahhar F, Namak S, Charestan A, El Rayess F. Best Practices Caring for Recently Arrived Arab and Muslim Women. Lecture presentation at AAFP Global Health Workshop, October 6, 2017.
- El Rayess F, Kahane J, Stebbins P, Goldman R, Roberts M, Wilkinson J. Factors Associated with HPV Vaccination. Poster presentation at NAPCRG, November 2017.
- Wilkinson J, MD, Morris G, El Rayess F, Roberts M. Predictors of missed preventive care visits in children and adolescents. Poster presentation at NAPCRG, November 2017.
- Roque J, Graham C, Goldman R, Wilkinson J, El Rayess F. Using Best Practices for Adolescent Vaccinations to Teach PCMH Concepts and Improve Care. Lecture presentation, STFM, Washington DC, May 2018.
- Moorhead D, El Rayess F, Czech S, Siegert N, Nothnagle M. Ethical and Structural Challenges of Behavioral Health Screenings for Children and Adolescents. Scholarly round table presentation, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, Washington DC, May 2018.
- Szkwarko D, Johnston E, El Rayess F, Klee D, Cayley W, Valdman O, Evensen A. “Teaching the Global Teachers: Case Discussions About Collaboration with Family Medicine Faculty Partners Abroad.” Workshop presentation at Global Health Summit, Jacksonville, FL Sept 2018.
- Evensen A, Valdman O, Szkwarko D, Duffy S, El Rayess F. Standardization of Global Health Fellowships in Family Medicine: What’s Next? Workshop presentation at Global Health Summit, Jacksonville, FL Sept 2018.
- Sahhar F, Namak S, El Rayess F, Kureshi S, Mashori R. International Medical Graduates: Adversity, loss, and improved global health. Workshop presentation at Global Health Summit, Jacksonville, FL Sept 2018.
- Roque J, Gleyzer N, Rosenbaum J, El Rayess F. Interactive Strategies to Enhance Pediatric Curriculum, Teach Panel Management and Increase Pediatric Visits. Workshop presentation at Program Director’s Workshop, Kansas City, April 2019 and Lecture Discussion, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, Toronto, April 2019.
- Graham C, El Rayess F, Szkwarko D, Forcier M. Incorporating Transgender Care into an Academic Family Medicine Department: Increasing Capacity for Transgender Care Across the Family Medicine Training Spectrum. Lecture Discussion, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, Toronto, April 2019.
- Thomson C, Szkwarko D, D'Cruz M, Dianat S, Evensen A, Goldman R, El Rayess F. “But it seemed like we were on the same page…” Integrating Concepts of Intercultural Communication into Family Medicine Education and Practice. Seminar Presentation, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, Toronto, April 2019.
- Wheat S, El Rayess F, Marshall C, Martonffy A. Limiting Bias in Recruitment and Retention. Workshop presentation at Program Director’s Workshop, AAFP, Kansas City, April 2020. Recorded and delivered virtually.
- Szkwarko D, Goldman R, Green C, Moorhead D, El Rayess F. Transforming Primary Care for Children and Adolescents in Underserved Communities: Evaluation of a 5-year HRSA Grant. Accepted for Lecture Discussion, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference, Salt Lake City, May 2020.
- Thomson C, Szkwarko D, D'Cruz M, Dianat S, Evensen A, Goldman R, El Rayess F. But it seemed like we were on the same page Vol 2: Integrating intercultural communication into Family Medicine. Accepted for Workshop, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference, Salt Lake City, May 2020.
- Tepperberg S, Pecci C, El Rayess F, Pfau J, O’Donovan E. Peer Support for “the Middle”: strategies, tips, and resources for mid-career and mid-life academic family physicians. Accepted for Round Table Discussion, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference, Salt Lake City, May 2020.
- Wheat S, El Rayess F, Marshall C, Martonffy A. Limiting Bias in Recruitment and Retention. Accepted for Workshop presentation at FMEC National Conference, Recorded and delivered virtually. Oct, 2020.
- McPhillips A, Peterson D, Donovan S, Szkwarko D, El Rayess F. “The Quaranteam:” A Family Medicine Residency’s Innovative Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rhode Island. Accepted for Lecture presentation at FMEC National Conference, Recorded and delivered virtually, Oct 1, 2020.
- Szkwarko D, Goldman R, Green C, Moorhead D, El Rayess F. Transforming Primary Care for Children and Adolescents in Underserved Communities: Evaluation of a 5-year HRSA Grant. Accepted for Lecture Discussion, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, Salt Lake City, May 2021.
- Tepperberg S, Pecci C, El Rayess F, Pfau J, O’Donovan E. Peer Support for “the Middle”: strategies, tips, and resources for mid-career and mid-life academic family physicians. Accepted for Round Table Discussion, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference, May 2021.
- Price G, Szkwarko D, Gleckel M, Gassman K, El Rayess F. “Designing Rural Health Tracks in Urban FM Residency Programs: Needs Assessments, Innovative Regional Collaborations, and More.” Round Table Discussion, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference, May 2021.
- Nothnagle M, El Rayess F, Filip A. Preventing and Responding to Negative ACGME Resident Surveys. Seminar Presentation. Residency Leadership Summit, March 2022.
- El Rayess F, Chandran R, Blossom-Hartley B, Anyanwu O, Szkwarko D. Antiracism Faculty Group: A Peer-Led Faculty Development Strategy. Lecture presentation, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, May 2022
- Szkwarko D, Gleckel M, Goldman R, El Rayess F. A Quantitative Assessment of Family Medicine Resident Confidence Related to Rural Health Practice. Completed Project. Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference, May 2022
- El Rayess F, Blossom-Hartley J. Pros and cons of teaching specialized content in FM residencies using clustered FM-led specialty clinics. Roundtable presentation, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, May 2023
- Wheat S, El Rayess F, Ravenna P, Tepperberg S. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Milestones: A tool to impact program change for pathways. Seminar presentation, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, May 2023
- Tepperberg S, El Rayess F, Hill C, Dakkak M. March Madness: Preparation for SOAP for Programs and Students. Seminar presentation at Residency Leadership Summit, March 2023 and lecture discussion, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, May 2023
- Gleckel M, Acosta L, Shittu H, El Rayess F. Applying an Antiracist Lens to Learning and Teaching Starting with an Orientation Block. Lecture discussion presentation, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, May 2023
- Younge M, Gleckel M, Arrey G, Ochoa Trochez M, El Rayess F. Promoting a More Inclusive Learning Environment by Enhancing Advising & the Evaluation Process. Lecture presentation at FMEC, Sept 2023.
- Sutter M, Adler B, Arena A, El Rayess F, Szkwarko D. Utilizing the ECHO Educational Model to Democratize Specialist Knowledge to Primary Care Team Members in Rhode Island. Lecture presentation at FMEC, Sept 2023.
- Younge M, White-Davis T, Krinsky L, Anyanwu O, El Rayess F. Racial Affinity Caucusing: Learn About This Antiracism Tool by Participating in One. Workshop presentation at FMEC, Sept 2023.
- Blossom-Hartley J, El Rayess F. Language Concordant Care: Impact on Spanish-Speaking Residents. Research paper presentation at FMEC, Sept 2023
- Wheat S, El Rayess F. Development of DEI Milestones for Family Medicine Residency. Invited presentation Innovation Research Series, Brown Family Medicine, April 2024.
- Beauregard B, Szkwarko D, Goldman R, El Rayess, F. Evaluating the Self-Efficacy of FM Residents in Performing Rural Health Skills: A Three-Year Matched Paired Analysis of Self-Reported Confidence Levels. Research paper presentation at FMEC, Sept 2024
- Gillooly C, Beauregard B, Dixon AW, Goldman R, El Rayess F. Where You Get Health Care Matters: Impact of Funding Structure on Number of Telemedicine Visits in Our Residency’s Two FM Practices. Accepted for poster presentation, STFM, May 2025
- El Rayess F, Hackett C, Verdieck-Devlaeminck A, Gibson-Oliver L, Bailey R, Picker B. Implementing Rural Training Tracks in Urban FM Residencies: Lessons Learned. Accepted for moderated panel discussion, STFM, May 2025
- Oring S, Goldman R, , Szkwarko D, Beauregard B El Rayess F. A Novel Hybrid Curriculum Model to Support Resident Scholarly Development. Scholarly Topic Roundtable Discussion, STFM, May 2026
- Hackett C, El Rayess F, Tepperberg S, Fillip A. Unionization in FM Residencies: Approaches to a Rapidly Changing Landscape. Accepted for Lecture Discussion and for Workshop at FMEC 2026
- El Rayess F, Tepperberg S, Piker B. Managing Anxiety and Uncertainty in Residencies During a Crisis: A workshop for program faculty and coordinators. Accepted for Workshop at FMEC 2026
Background
Education and Training
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | MD | George Washington University |
| 1996 | MPH | George Washington University |
Honors and Awards
Alpert Medical School at Brown Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award For Clinical Teaching, June 2023
Brown Family Medicine Chair’s Award for Work on Diversity, June 2022
Rhode Island Monthly Top Doctor in Family Medicine, June 2021
Induction into Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University Alpha Omega Alpha Chapter, June 2020
Lenard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, Arnold P Gold Foundation, June 2019
Brown Family Medicine Chair’s Excellence in Teaching Award, June 2018
Mentorship Award in Diversity and Equity Award in Medicine, June 2017
Alpert Medical School at Brown Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award for Clinical Teaching, June 2017
Alpert Medical School at Brown Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award for Clinical Teaching in the Family Medicine Clerkship, June 2017
Alpert Medical School at Brown Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award for Clinical Teaching, June 2014
RI AHEC & Brown Medical School Dept of Family Medicine Certificate of Appreciation November, 2010
Governor's Award for Distinguished Achievement in Wellness. November 2nd 2009
Quality Partners Award for Innovations in Medicine Office Practice October 10th 2007
RI Dept of Health Grant for Minority Health Promotion Site 2007-2010
Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI Blue Angel Grant to fund the Mark, Set, Go! Program 2006-07
AffiliationsVisualize it
Collaborators
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Arena, Andrea | Associate Professor of Family Medicine, Clinician Educator |
| Goldman, Roberta | Professor of Family Medicine |
| Hackett, Charles | Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Clinician Educator |
| Szkwarko, Daria | Associate Professor of Family Medicine |
Affiliations
Care New England Medical Group
Hospital Afficiliations: Kent Hospital, Miriam Hospital
American Academy of Family Physicians
Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors
Rhode Island Academy of Family Physicians
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine
Teaching
Teaching Overview
Residency Curriculum: family medicine, pediatric, health equity, anti-racism topics, refugee health
Global Health Curriculum in Family Medicine, Residency and Fellowship Curricula
Scholarly Work in Family Medicine Residency
Scholarly Concentration for Undergraduate Medical Education in Care for Underserved Communities
LGBTQ Curriculum for Family Medicine Residency and Medical Students
Health Equity Longitudinal Curriculum for Family Medicine Residency
Reproductive Health Skills
Medication Assisted Therapy