Raya E. Kheirbek, MD

• Damascus University Medical School, Syria, MD
• Damascus University Medical School, Syria, MPH
• Washington Hospital Center, Residency, Internal Medicine
• George Washington University, Fellowship, Geriatric Medicine

Certification:

Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Award:

Dr. Kheirbek was named "Top Doctor" by Baltimore Magazine in 2020, 2021.

Dr. Kheirbek is a Professor of Medicine and the inaugural Division Head of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Dr. Kheirbek's primary focus is on developing and implementing quality improvement programs for older adults with serious and advanced illnesses. Her research portfolio includes numerous large-scale projects with a particular focus on the oldest segment of the global population. Her interest in centenarians originated from caring for a 108-year-old patient and led her to assemble the world's largest cohort of male centenarians. Through conducting interviews with over 100 centenarians, Dr. Kheirbek gained valuable insights into their exceptional longevity.

In addition to her research work, Dr. Kheirbek plays a vital role in training numerous learners on age-appropriate, person-centered care. She currently serves as the Program Director of the Geriatric Fellowship at UMD, where she fosters empathy, reflection, and professionalism in the practice of medicine. Her dedication to educating future healthcare professionals ensures that they are equipped with the necessary skills to provide compassionate care to older adults

Dr. Kheirbek is an advocate for social justice. She actively writes and provides expert testimonies, addressing the unique needs of marginalized and medically vulnerable individuals, including elders in the criminal justice system, advocating for compassionate and geriatric release of prisoners. Her work has been featured in several publications, including the Baltimore Sun, New York Times, Washington Post, and US World and News Report

Chronic Illness, Aging, Oldest Old, End of Life, Narrative Medicine.

Kheirbek RE, Alemi Y, Wojtusiak J, Kheirbek L, Madison S, Fokar A, Doukky R, Moore HJ. Impact of Hospice and Palliative Care Service Utilization on All-Cause 30-Day Readmission Rate for Older Adults Hospitalized with Heart Failure. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2019 Jul;36(7):623-629. doi: 10.1177/1049909119828712. Epub 2019 Feb 17.

Kheirbek RE, Fokar A, Little JT, Balish M, Shara NM, Boustani MA, Llorente M. Association Between Antipsychotics and All-Cause Mortality Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2019 Feb 11. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glz045. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 30753301

Kheirbek RE, Fokar A, Shara N, Bell-Wilson LK, Moore HJ, Olsen E, Blackman MR, Llorente MD.Characteristics and Incidence of Chronic Illness in Community-Dwelling Predominantly Male U.S. Veteran Centenarians. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017 Sep;65(9):2100-2106. doi: 10.1111/jgs.14900. Epub 2017 Apr 19. PMID: 28422270