Muhamad Aly Rifai

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Dr. Muhamad Aly Rifai
M.D.
الدكتور محمد علي الرفاعي
Born
Aleppo, Syria
OccupationsPhysician, CEO, professor
Known forResearch on hepatitis C and psychiatric disorders
Academic work
Discipline Psychiatry
Sub-discipline Psychosomatic medicine


Muhamad Aly Rifai (Arabic الدكتور محمد علي الرفاعي) is a Syrian American physician specializing in psychiatry and internal medicine. [1] He is recognized for his research on the correlation between psychiatric disorders and hepatitis C. [2] [1] [3] [4] [5] [6] As the President and CEO of Blue Mountain Psychiatry in Pennsylvania. [7] [8] Rifai has contributed to the understanding of psychosomatic medicine. [8]

Contents

His research has hypothesized posited that the shame associated with a diagnosis of Hepatitis C was also a major negative factor in treatment. [9]

Training and career

Aly Rifal completed fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine and psychiatric research at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland (2003–2005). [10]

Professional recognition

In May 2000, Rifai was awarded the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education's Janssen Scholars Fellowship for research on severe mental illness. [11]

In 2006, he became the recipient of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine's William Webb Fellowship. [12] As of 2007, he is a fellow of the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. [13]


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. [14]

In 2007, Rifai was named president of the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Association. [15] [16]

He has served as a consultant to media, clinical, and judicial entities on a variety of topics related to behavioral sciences. [7] [17] [18] [19] [20]

In May, 2024, 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. [21] According to the complaint, Rifai improperly billed Medicare for services to nursing home patients for several years. This included billing for treatment of dead patients, treating the same patient at the same time at different nursing homes, and billing for more than 24 hours’ worth of services in a single day. The indictment further alleged that Rifai added a pre-printed stamp to case reports to support the claims that services were provided by his staff. [22]

After a trial lasting one week, Rifai was found not guilty in May 2024. [23] In February 2025, Rifai sued the federal government over his prosecution. The case was dismissed with prejudice in September 2025. [24]

Following his experience, In 2025, Rifai self-published a memoir detail his experience proving his innocence. [25]

Select research

References

  1. 1 2 Huang, Binghui (18 May 2018). "Newsmaker: Muhamad Aly Rifai, doctor and researcher". The Morning Call. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
  2. ↑ MacReady, Norra (1 January 2003). "Psychiatric disorders more likely in HCV patients. (Substance Abuse in 88%)". Clinical Psychiatry News. International Medical News Group. Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  3. ↑ 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. doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.42.5.411 . PMID   11739908.
  4. ↑ El–Serag, Hashem B.; Kunik, Mark; Richardson, Peter; Rabeneck, Linda (2002). "Psychiatric disorders among veterans with hepatitis C infection". Gastroenterology . 123 (2): 476–482. doi: 10.1053/gast.2002.34750 . PMID   12145801.
  5. ↑ 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" . American Journal of Gastroenterology. 101: S167 –S168. doi:10.14309/00000434-200609001-00371. ISSN   0002-9270.
  6. ↑ 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. doi:10.4088/pcc.v08n0607. ISSN   1523-5998. PMC   1764521 . PMID   17245458.
  7. 1 2 Parker, Chris (4 August 2012). "Bullies in the workplace – Intimidation doesn't end with high school graduation". www.tnonline.com. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  8. 1 2 Miller, Rudy (9 January 2016). "Psychiatrist plans to move into vacant Easton medical office". lehighvalleylive. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  9. ↑ Cook, Gretchen (12 April 2005). "In a Judgmental World, She Was Ashamed of Getting Sick". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  10. ↑ Bender, Eve (4 March 2005). "Minority Med Students Get Insider's View of Psychiatry" . Psychiatric News. 40 (5): 12–41. doi:10.1176/pn.40.5.00400012.
  11. ↑ Regier, Darrel A. (19 May 2000). "Fifteen psychiatry residents have been selected to participate in a prestigious research fellowship". Psychiatric News. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  12. ↑ Salodof MacNeil, Jane (2007). "Polymorphism And Depression in HCV patients" . Clinical Psychiatry News. 35 (1): 22. doi:10.1016/s0270-6644(07)70025-5. Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  13. ↑ "Webb Fellowship". Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  14. ↑ https://www.tnonline.com/20120804/bullies-in-the-workplace-intimidation-doesnt-end-with-high-school-gradua/
  15. ↑ Huang, Binghui (20 April 2020). "Coronavirus pandemic spurs anxiety, stress and fear, but access to counseling has been challenging". The Morning Call. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  16. ↑ "Shrinking psychiatrist pool means waits for those in need". AP News. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  17. ↑ "New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Presents: New Frontiers in Integrated Health". New Vitae Wellness and Recovery. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  18. ↑ Stover, Jamie (3 January 2020). "People experiencing mental health issues face hurdles in seeking help". WFMZ.com. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  19. ↑ "Judge wants answers from accused baby killer's shrink". Delco Times. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  20. ↑ "Additional psychiatrist sought in death penalty trial of Ummad Rushdi". Delco Times. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  21. ↑ Miller, Rudy (9 November 2022). "Easton psychiatrist billed Medicare for treating dead patients in $1M fraud scheme, feds say". lehighvalleylive. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  22. ↑ "Eastern District of Pennsylvania | UPDATED//Lehigh Valley Psychiatrist Charged With Stealing From Medicare Through Improper Billing Scheme | United States Department of Justice". www.justice.gov. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  23. ↑ Miller, Rudy (9 May 2024). "Jury clears Easton psychiatrist of $1M health care fraud allegation". lehighvalleylive. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  24. ↑ "24-1242 - RIFAI v. THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE et al". U.S. Government Publishing Office. Retrieved 3 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ Rifai, Muhamad Aly (19 July 2025). Doctor Not Guilty. Rifai Psychiatry. ISBN   979-8-9995650-0-6.
  26. ↑ "‪Verbal de-escalation of the agitated patient: consensus statement of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry Project BETA De-escalation Workgroup‬". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  27. ↑ Rifai, Muhamad Aly; Gleason, Ondria C.; Sabouni, Douha (2010). "Psychiatric care of the patient with hepatitis C: a review of the literature". Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 12 (6): PCC.09r00877. doi:10.4088/PCC.09r00877whi. ISSN   1555-211X. PMC   3067984 . PMID   21494349.
  28. ↑ Morasco, Benjamin J.; Rifai, Muhamad Aly; Loftis, Jennifer M.; Indest, David W.; Moles, James Kelly; Hauser, Peter (1 November 2007). "A randomized trial of paroxetine to prevent interferon-α-induced depression in patients with hepatitis C" . Journal of Affective Disorders. 103 (1): 83–90. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2007.01.007. ISSN   0165-0327.
  29. ↑ MUHAMAD ALY RIFAI; MOLES, James K.; SHORT, Delmar D. (2006). "Hepatitis c treatment eligibility and outcomes among patients with psychiatric illness". Hepatitis c treatment eligibility and outcomes among patients with psychiatric illness. 57 (4): 570–572. ISSN   1075-2730.
  30. ↑ 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. doi:10.4088/pcc.v08n0607. ISSN   1523-5998. PMC   1764521 . PMID   17245458.
  31. ↑ Rifai, Muhamad Aly; Moles, James Kelly; Lehman, Lauren P.; Van Der Linden, Brian J. (1 March 2006). "Hepatitis C Screening and Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Substance Use/Dependence Disorders" . Psychosomatics. 47 (2): 112–121. doi:10.1176/appi.psy.47.2.112. ISSN   0033-3182.
  32. ↑ Rifai, Muhamad Aly; Indest, David; Loftis, Jennifer; Hauser, Peter (1 November 2006). "Psychiatric management of the hepatitis C patient" . Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology. 9 (6): 508–519. doi:10.1007/s11938-006-0007-6. ISSN   1534-309X.
  33. ↑ Yovtcheva, Sonia P.; Rifai, Muhamad Aly; Moles, James K.; Van Der Linden, Brian J. (1 May 2005). "Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Hepatitis C–Positive Patients" . Focus. 3 (2): 261–265. doi:10.1176/foc.3.2.261. ISSN   1541-4094.
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