Muhamad Aly Rifai Explained

Dr. Muhamad Aly Rifai
Honorific Suffix:M.D.
Native Name:الدكتور محمد علي الرفاعي
Native Name Lang:Arabic
Birth Date:May 1973
Birth Place:Aleppo, Syria
Nationality:American
Occupation:Physician, CEO, Professor
Known For:Research on hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders
Discipline:Psychiatry
Sub Discipline:Psychosomatic medicine

Muhamad Aly Rifai (Arabic الدكتور محمد علي الرفاعي) is a Syrian American internist and psychiatrist who was accused by the government with fraud but exonerated in a jury trial.[1] [2] [3] [4] He is a clinician researcher known for describing the association between psychiatric disorders and hepatitis C.[5] [6] He co-authored a clinical report detailing the association between hepatitis C infection and psychiatric disorders.[7] [8] He is the President and CEO of Blue Mountain Psychiatry which has locations in Pennsylvania.[9] [10] [11] [12]

In May 2000, Rifai was awarded the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education's Janssen Scholars Fellowship for research on severe mental illness.[13] In 2006, he became the recipient of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine's William Webb Fellowship.[14] [15] As of 2007, he is a fellow of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine.[16] He is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Psychiatric Association.He is a clinical professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.[17] [18]

Rifai was charged with four counts of Medicare fraud, including billing one patient in two different hospitals at the same time and billing deceased patients.[19] [20] [21] He was found not guilty of all charges and exonerated by a federal Jury in Pennsylvania.[1] [22] [23] [24] [25]

Training and career

He obtained his M.D. with honors from University of Aleppo Faculty of Medicine in 1996 and received a Neuroscience National Research Service Award funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. Rifai completed a neuroscience research training fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine in Memphis (1996–1998).[26] In 1998, he began training in the combined Internal Medicine and Psychiatry program at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Carilion Health System Program (Carilion Clinic) in Roanoke and Salem, Virginia. He then completed fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine and psychiatric research at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland (2003–2005).[27]

Medical research

Rifai demonstrated the first evidence indicating a significant association between hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders (psychotic, affective, anxiety and substance use). The United States Department of Veterans Affairs commissioned a larger study to replicate these findings and confirmed the significant association between hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders.[28] [29] Rifai advocates for screening patients with psychiatric disorders for hepatitis C.[30] [31]

In the mid 2000s, Rifai was involved in several studies on interferon-alpha (IFN-α) induced depression in hepatitis C patients and possible use of Paroxetine and other antidepressants for its treatment.[32] [33] [34] He and his colleagues only recommend the use of IFN-α to eradicate hepatitis C along with "a comprehensive pretreatment assessment, a risk-benefit analysis, and intensive ongoing medical and psychiatric follow-up."[35] [36]

Rifai has coauthored a study on the proper intervention of agitated patients with goal of deescalating situations without the use of restraints or involuntary medication.[37] [38] He sometimes serves as a consultant to media, clinical, and judicial entities on a variety of topics related to behavioral sciences.[39] [40] [41] [42] Speaking to The New York Times about diseases including hepatitis C, he posited that the shame associated with diagnosis was also a major negative factor in treatment.[43] [44]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rudy . Miller . 2024-05-09 . Jury clears Easton psychiatrist of $1M health care fraud allegation . 2024-06-26 . lehighvalleylive . en.
  2. Web site: Shtika . Mario . 2024-05-13 . Update: Psychiatrist Found Not Guilty of Health Care Fraud . 2024-06-26 . Senior Medicare Patrol . en-US.
  3. Web site: Rifai . Muhamad . 2024-05-28 . Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD acquitted . 2024-06-26 . Doctors of Courage . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2024-06-08 . Innocent Physician Still Punished . 2024-06-26 . Daily Remedy . en-US.
  5. News: Psychiatric disorders more likely in HCV patients. (Substance Abuse in 88%). MacReady. Norra. 2003-01-01. International Medical News Group. Clinical Psychiatry News. https://archive.today/20170131092106/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Psychiatric+disorders+more+likely+in+HCV+patients.+(Substance+Abuse...-a097731058. 2017-01-31. live. 2017-01-31.
  6. Web site: Huang . Binghui . 2018-05-18 . Newsmaker: Muhamad Aly Rifai, doctor and researcher . 2024-06-18 . The Morning Call . en-US.
  7. Yovtcheva. Sonia P.. Rifai. Muhamad Aly. Moles. James K.. Linden. Brian J. Van Der. 2001. Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Hepatitis C-Positive Patients. Psychosomatics. 42. 5. 411–415. 10.1176/appi.psy.42.5.411. 11739908. free.
  8. Yovtcheva. Sonia P.. Rifai. Muhamad Aly. Moles. James K.. Van Der Linden. Brian J.. 2005-04-01. Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Hepatitis C–Positive Patients. FOCUS. 3. 2. 261–265. 10.1176/foc.3.2.261. 1541-4094.
  9. Web site: Bullies in the workplace - Intimidation doesn't end with high school graduation . Parker. Chris. August 4, 2012. www.tnonline.com. en. 2017-01-31.
  10. Web site: About. Aly Rifai. Muhamad. 2017-02-01.
  11. Web site: Rudy . Miller . 2016-01-09 . Psychiatrist plans to move into vacant Easton medical office . 2024-06-26 . lehighvalleylive . en.
  12. Web site: 2017-02-16 . Blue Mountain Psychiatry Continues to Excel as Local Medical Provider . 2024-06-26 . www.prunderground.com . en-US.
  13. News: Fifteen psychiatry residents have been selected to participate in a prestigious research fellowship. Regier. Darrel A.. 2000-05-19. Psychiatric News. https://archive.today/20120918105447/http://www.psychiatricnews.org/pnews/00-05-19/scholarships.html. 2012-09-18. live. 2017-01-30.
  14. News: Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine - Newsletter. 2006. 5. 2017-01-31.
  15. Salodof MacNeil . Jane . 2007. Polymorphism And Depression in HCV patients. live. Clinical Psychiatry News. 35. 1. 22. 10.1016/s0270-6644(07)70025-5. https://archive.today/20170131100404/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Polymorphism+and+Depression+in+HCV+patients-a0158730730. 2017-01-31. 2017-01-31.
  16. News: Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. 2007. 2017-01-31.
  17. Web site: 2017-03-18 . Shrinking pool of psychiatrists means long wait for those in need . 2024-06-26 . The Morning Call . en-US.
  18. Web site: Huang . Binghui . 2020-04-20 . Coronavirus pandemic spurs anxiety, stress and fear, but access to counseling has been challenging . 2024-06-26 . The Morning Call . en-US.
  19. Web site: Rudy . Miller . 2022-11-09 . Easton psychiatrist billed Medicare for treating dead patients in $1M fraud scheme, feds say . 2022-11-19 . lehighvalleylive . en.
  20. Web site: Talking physician acquittals with Dr. Rifai . 2024-06-18 . Daily Remedy . en-US.
  21. Web site: Norms . You're Within The . 2024-05-29 . Victory for Psychiatry, Dr Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD, FACP, FAPA, FACLP and Attorney Law Professor Paul Hetznecker Over DOJ-DEA Targeting of Middle Eastern Muslim Physicians: "UKUNQOBA" . 2024-06-26 . youarewithinthenorms . en-US.
  22. Web site: Rifai . Muhamad . 2024-05-28 . Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD acquitted . 2024-06-18 . Doctors of Courage . en-US.
  23. Web site: Shtika . Mario . 2024-05-13 . Update: Psychiatrist Found Not Guilty of Health Care Fraud . 2024-06-18 . Senior Medicare Patrol . en-US.
  24. Web site: Fraudulent Billing Could Cost Doctor Millions . 2024-06-18 . www.healthleadersmedia.com . en.
  25. Web site: Talking physician acquittals with Dr. Rifai . 2024-06-26 . Daily Remedy . en-US.
  26. Web site: Huang . Binghui . 2018-05-18 . Newsmaker: Muhamad Aly Rifai, doctor and researcher . 2024-06-26 . The Morning Call . en-US.
  27. Bender . Eve . 2005-03-04 . Minority Med Students Get Insider's View of Psychiatry . Psychiatric News . 40 . 5 . 12–41 . en . 10.1176/pn.40.5.00400012.
  28. El–Serag. Hashem B.. Kunik. Mark. Richardson. Peter. Rabeneck. Linda. 2002. Psychiatric disorders among veterans with hepatitis C infection. Gastroenterology. 123. 2. 476–482. 10.1053/gast.2002.34750. 12145801. free.
  29. Rifai . Muhamad Aly . Sabouni . Douha . Moles . James K. . Hauser . Peter . September 2006 . Psychiatric and Substance use Disorders Are Associated with Increased Mortality among US Veterans with Hepatitis C Infection: 371 . Official Journal of the American College of Gastroenterology . en-US . 101 . S167–S168 . 10.14309/00000434-200609001-00371 . 0002-9270.
  30. Rifai. Muhamad Aly. Moles. James Kelly. Lehman. Lauren P.. Linden. Brian J. Van Der. 2006. Hepatitis C Screening and Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Substance Use/Dependence Disorders. Psychosomatics. 47. 2. 112–121. 10.1176/appi.psy.47.2.112. 16508022. free.
  31. Rifai . Muhamad Aly . 2006 . Hepatitis C treatment of patients with bipolar disorder: a case series . Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry . 8 . 6 . 361–366 . 10.4088/pcc.v08n0607 . 1523-5998 . 1764521 . 17245458.
  32. Rifai. Muhamad Aly. Bozorg. Bahman. Rosenstein. Donald L.. 2004-12-01. Interferon for Hepatitis C Patients With Psychiatric Disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry. 161. 12. 2331–2332. 10.1176/appi.ajp.161.12.2331. 15569919. 0002-953X.
  33. Rifai. Muhamad Aly. Moles. James K.. Short. Delmar D.. 2006-04-01. Hepatitis C Treatment Eligibility and Outcomes Among Patients With Psychiatric Illness. Psychiatric Services. 57. 4. 570–572. 10.1176/ps.2006.57.4.570. 16603757. 1075-2730.
  34. Rifai. Muhamad Aly. Indest. David. Loftis. Jennifer. Hauser. Peter. 2006. Psychiatric management of the hepatitis C patient. Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology. en. 9. 6. 508–519. 10.1007/s11938-006-0007-6. 17081484. 45167175. 1092-8472.
  35. Rifai. Muhamad Aly. Rosenstein. Donald L.. 2005-04-01. Hepatitis C and Psychiatry. FOCUS. 3. 2. 194–202. 10.1176/foc.3.2.194. 74099130 . 1541-4094.
  36. Rifai. Muhamad Aly. Gleason. Ondria C.. Sabouni. Douha. 2010-12-16. Psychiatric Care of the Patient With Hepatitis C. The Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. en. 12. 6. PCC.09r00877. 10.4088/pcc.09r00877whi. 21494349. 2155-7780. 3067984.
  37. Richmond. Janet. Berlin. Jon. Fishkind. Avrim. Holloman. Garland. Zeller. Scott. Wilson. Michael. Rifai. Muhamad Aly. Ng. Anthony. 2012-01-01. Verbal De-escalation of the Agitated Patient: Consensus Statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA De-escalation Workgroup. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. en. 13. 1. 17–25. 10.5811/westjem.2011.9.6864. 1936-9018. 3298202. 22461917.
  38. Richmond . Janet S . Berlin . Jon S . Fishkind . Avrim B . Holloman . Garland H . Zeller . Scott L . Wilson . Michael P . Rifai . Muhamad Aly . Ng . Anthony T . February 2012 . Verbal De-escalation of the Agitated Patient: Consensus Statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA De-escalation Workgroup . Western Journal of Emergency Medicine . 13 . 1 . 17–25 . 10.5811/westjem.2011.9.6864 . 1936-900X . 3298202 . 22461917.
  39. Web site: New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Presents: New Frontiers in Integrated Health . 2024-06-26 . New Vitae Wellness and Recovery . en-US.
  40. Web site: Stover . Jamie . 2020-01-03 . People experiencing mental health issues face hurdles in seeking help . 2024-06-26 . WFMZ.com . en.
  41. Web site: 2016-07-13 . Judge wants answers from accused baby killer's shrink . 2024-06-26 . Delco Times . en-US.
  42. Web site: 2015-07-06 . Additional psychiatrist sought in death penalty trial of Ummad Rushdi . 2024-06-26 . Delco Times . en-US.
  43. News: In a Judgmental World, She Was Ashamed of Getting Sick. Cook. Gretchen. 2005-04-12. The New York Times. 0362-4331. https://archive.today/20170131034118/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/12/health/psychology/in-a-judgmental-world-she-was-ashamed-of-getting-sick.html?_r=0. 2017-01-31. live. 2017-01-31.
  44. Web site: Muhamad Aly Rifai . 2024-06-26 . Medium . en.

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