El Rayess, Fadya

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 and volunteer faculty for the student clinic at Clinica Esperanza. Dr. El Rayess is the Associate Director of the Family Medicine Global health Fellowship. She serves on the Brown Council for Diversity in Medicine and Brown University’s Global Health Initiative Executive Committee. 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

Family Medicine

Research Areas

Diversity | global health | health equity | Reproductive

On the Web

Brown Family Medicine

Publications Visualize it

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.

Full Text PubMed

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.

PubMed

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.

Full Text PubMed

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.

PubMed

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.

More Info

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.

Full Text PubMed

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.

PubMed

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.

PubMed

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.

Full Text PubMed

Gandhi, Meeka, Feller, Edward, El Rayess, Fadya. "Art and movement in nutrition education." Medical Education, vol. 50, no. 11, 2016, pp. 1160-1160.

Full Text PubMed

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.

Full Text PubMed

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.

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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.

Full Text PubMed

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.

PubMed

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.

PubMed

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.

PubMed

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.

Full Text PubMed

Research

Research Overview

Dr El Rayess has varied research interest that center on educational research and caring for underserved populations including immigrants and refugees. She is currently involved in primary care research related to preparing FM residents to practice in rural and urban settings providing care to underserved and marginalized populations. She is a PI of a HRSA training grant for which focuses on providing training in telehealth, treatment of substance use disorder and MAT, Gender Affirming Care, Hep C treatment and health equity. Partnering with other FM Residency Program Directors, she is also involved in developing milestones to measure DEI in FM residencies. Additionally she continues to participate in family medicine global health training including the development of family medicine fellowships.

Funded Research

2020-2025 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:

Drutchas A, Filip A, El Rayess F. Building capacity for transgender care in Rhode Island: an interdisciplinary primary care approach. Lecture presentation at Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference. May 2, 2016.
El Rayess F, Nothnagle M, Brown J, Stebbins P, Nash J, Chandran R, Goldman R. Transforming our PCMH to include a focus on the needs of children and adolescents: curriculum development and baseline evaluation. Works in progress presentation, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference. May 3, 2016.
El Rayess F, Martinez-Bianchi, Siegert N, Jarrell K. Teaching across the globe: the importance of culture and teaching style in global health. Breakfast round table presentation, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, National Conference. May 3, 2016.
El Rayess F, Evensen AE, Szkwarko D, Cayley B, Klee D, Valdman O, Johnson E. “Global Faculty Development Tool Kit.” AAFP Global Health Workshop presentation Sept 8, 2016.
Szkwarko D, Kamau PB, El Rayess F, Valdman O, Chege P. “Virtual Journal Club: A Unique Way to Expand a Family Medicine: Collaboration in Western Kenya.” AAFP Global Health Workshop oral presentation, September 8, 2016.
Jarrell K, Kamau PB, Szkwarko D, El Rayess F, Chege P. Educational Intervention for Improvement in Understanding Research Design among Kenyan Masters of Family Medicine Candidates. AAFP Global Health Workshop oral presentation, September 9, 2016.
Stebbins P, El Rayess F, Nothnagle M, Brown J, Nash J, Chandran R, Goldman R. Transforming family-centered primary care for children and adolescents in underserved communities: a baseline assessment of needs. Oral presentation at NAPCRG November 2016.
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

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

Affiliations Visualize it

Collaborators

Name	Title
Arena, Andrea	Associate Professor of Family Medicine, Clinician Educator
Goldman, Roberta	Professor of Family Medicine
Szkwarko, Daria	Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Younge, Marian	Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Clinician Educator

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

Researchers@Brown

Researchers@Brown

Fadya El Rayess

Professor of Family Medicine

Overview

Brown Affiliations

Research Areas

On the Web

Publications Visualize it

Research

Research Overview

Funded Research

Scholarly Work

Background

Education and Training

Honors and Awards

Affiliations Visualize it

Collaborators

Affiliations

Teaching

Teaching Overview