Medicine is often measured in diagnoses, procedures, and outcomes, but for the patient, healthcare is inherently personal. It is about being heard during times of vulnerability, finding reassurance amidst uncertainty, and having a trusted specialist guide complex medical decisions. Gastroenterology uniquely bridges prevention, advanced diagnostics, and long-term care, requiring physicians to seamlessly blend state-of-the-art technology with a compassionate understanding of the individual.
With over 16 years of experience across Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, Dr. Ruba Refai has built her career upon this balance. She earned her MBBS from Jordan University of Science and Technology in 2010, followed by residency training in Internal Medicine at the Royal Medical Services, King Hussein Medical Centre in Jordan (2015). She subsequently completed a specialized fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the same institution (2016–2019) before earning her Specialty Certification from the Jordan Medical Council, graduating first in her cohort.
Dr. Ruba Refai’s clinical scope encompasses comprehensive gastroenterological care, ranging from diagnostic, surveillance, and therapeutic endoscopy and colonoscopy to polypectomy, esophageal variceal banding, and the management of acute upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. She performs non-invasive FibroScan examinations to evaluate liver fibrosis and steatosis, and manages complex conditions including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia, and GI dysmotility. Her expertise extends to evaluating iron deficiency anemia, complex hepatobiliary disorders, and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), as well as supervising medical weight-loss therapy and perioperative care for bariatric patients.
Dr. Ruba Refai relocated to the UAE in 2019, joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as an Associate Staff Physician and Specialist Gastroenterologist. A member of the Emirates Gastroenterology & Hepatology Society since 2020, she currently serves as Consultant Gastroenterologist and Director of the Endoscopy Unit at Healthpoint in Abu Dhabi. In this role, she brings broad expertise to advance digestive and liver health through both specialized clinical care and preventive medicine.
A Foundational Promise
Dr. Ruba Refai’s commitment to medicine began long before her formal training. On New Year’s Eve in 1997, at age eleven, her late father, Saleh Al Refai, wrote a message in a diary gifted by her mother, expressing his hope that she would one day become a respected physician. His belief in dedication and academic excellence became her guiding principle.
During her internal medicine residency at King Hussein Medical Centre, Dr. Ruba Refai was drawn to gastroenterology for its clinical breadth and procedural rigor. At the time, she was only the third female fellow accepted into the department in two decades. Today, witnessing an increasing number of women entering the field with confidence remains one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
Military Discipline and Global Standards
Her foundational years in Jordan profoundly shaped her clinical approach. Training within the Royal Medical Services taught her to remain composed under pressure and execute sound clinical judgment, particularly in high-demand environments. Comprehensive history-taking and detailed physical examinations became the bedrock of her practice.
In 2019, Dr. Refai brought her expertise to the UAE. Her four-and-a-half-year tenure at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi expanded her exposure to international best practices, allowing her to collaborate with leading global experts within an advanced healthcare framework.
In 2024, joining Healthpoint marked a pivotal transition in her career, combining clinical practice with executive unit leadership.
Leadership and Clinical Innovation
At Healthpoint, Dr. Refai assumed the role of Director of the Endoscopy Unit, taking responsibility for operational governance, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and maintaining accreditation standards aligned with the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), and Joint Commission International (JCI).
Collaborating closely with Dr. Mohammad Al Hadad, Medical Director of Healthpoint and founder of one of the region’s premier Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Centers, Dr. Refai expanded her focus on obesity as a chronic disease. Her work emphasizes MASLD, clinical nutrition, and comprehensive pre- and post-operative management for bariatric surgical patients. She formally earned her SCOPE Certification in Obesity Management following her selection to attend the inaugural SCOPE School in Abu Dhabi in 2024.
Endoscopic management in bariatric patients presents distinct challenges—including higher BMI, elevated anesthesia risk, and altered GI anatomy. Developing precise, safe endoscopic protocols for complex cases remains a focal point of her practice.
Patient-Centered Care
Behind every diagnosis, Dr. Ruba Refai emphasizes the human story. She recalls a patient who had repeatedly deferred a recommended colonoscopy. Rather than insisting on the procedure, Dr. Refai took time to understand the root cause: the patient had tragically lost her son during a surgical procedure years prior and harbored a severe fear of anesthesia. Through transparent communication and tailored reassurance, the patient gained the trust needed to proceed safely.
This approach reflects Dr. Ruba Refai’s core philosophy: clinical trust is built on active listening and authentic empathy. Listening is often the vital first step in effective treatment.
Purposeful Technology
At Healthpoint, Dr. Ruba Refai utilizes an endoscopy suite equipped with advanced high-definition imaging and AI-assisted diagnostic software designed to enhance mucosal lesion detection and diagnostic accuracy. Across the UAE’s modern healthcare landscape, access to cutting-edge technology continues to elevate standards of care.
Dr. Ruba Refai views technology as an indispensable tool to complement, rather than replace, clinical acumen. Advanced imaging enhances procedural safety and patient outcomes, but diagnostic context and clinical decision-making remain grounded in expert human judgment.
Proactive Prevention
Colorectal cancer screening is a cornerstone of Dr. Refai’s preventive strategy. Aligning with Department of Health guidelines, she advocates proactive screening for eligible individuals starting at age 40, utilizing modalities tailored to individual risk profiles. Recognizing the role of cultural sensitivity, Dr. Refai emphasizes that offering access to female-led clinical teams significantly reduces hesitation and encourages timely screening.
Continuity of Care
Managing chronic gastrointestinal and metabolic conditions requires sustained partnership. Dr. Ruba Refai prioritizes structured patient education—clearly discussing treatment options, expected benefits, and potential limitations while encouraging open dialogue. Empowering patients as active participants in their care plans ensures better compliance and long-term health outcomes.
Evolving Horizons in Liver Health
The clinical approach to MASLD has evolved dramatically. Once restricted primarily to lifestyle advice, management now incorporates metabolic pharmacotherapy and targeted interventions designed to arrest progression to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Dr. Ruba Refai advocates for a multidisciplinary care model integrating hepatology, bariatric surgery, clinical nutrition, and psychological support. Staying at the forefront of metabolic research ensures her patients receive modern, evidence-based care tailored to their evolving needs.
Advancing Preventive Medicine and Diversity
Dr. Ruba Refai views early risk stratifications as one of modern healthcare’s greatest opportunities. Proactive management of obesity, early detection and removal of precancerous colorectal polyps, and timely intervention in fatty liver disease fundamentally alter disease trajectories, moving medicine from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Ruba Refai is dedicated to fostering inclusive healthcare environments where patients feel fully comfortable seeking specialized care. Furthermore, she actively encourages young female physicians to pursue specialized fields and leadership roles, carrying forward the principle that guided her early journey: clinical excellence is built on dedication, integrity, and continuous growth
