A native of Beirut and an enthusiastic world traveler, he is fluent in English, Arabic and French, which allows him to communicate with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Dr. Rifka has published numerous peer-reviewed studies on the effects of hormones on the male and female reproductive systems. He has been recognized multiple times as one of Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Doctors, most recently in 2021.

Get to know Dr. Rifka better in our first Physician Spotlight Q&A …

What are your areas of specialty? Reproductive Endocrinology, Hormonal Abnormality, In Vitro Fertilization, Egg Freezing Female and Male infertility

What are the most important things you want to share with patients the first time you meet them? Listen and get to know them, Explain the problem thoroughly, a promise to do my best, and exercise the state of the art and give the chances of success if applicable.

What do you find most fulfilling about your work? Putting a smile on people’s faces.

Can you describe an example of a patient you’ve helped that represented a really special case for you? The son of one of my patients was dying of brain cancer. The mother came to me because she wanted to get pregnant so that the dying son could meet his sibling before he passed away. Although the mother was of an advanced age, we helped her undergo In Vitro Fertilization at Columbia Fertility Associates. She conceived and delivered a healthy baby boy just a few months before the ailing son died.

What makes Columbia Fertility Associates stand out among other fertility clinics? Personalized, compassionate and competent service.

What is something unique about you outside of work? Or what do you most enjoy doing in your personal time? I like to spend quality time with family. I also serve the boards of some nonprofit organizations that are important to me. And I love to travel and learn about the different cultures around the world.