Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Episode: Rebuilding Syria’s Healthcare System with Dr. Aref Rifai of SAMS
Date: March 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Becker’s Healthcare Podcast features Dr. Aref Rifai, President of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), in conversation with host Paige Twenter. The discussion centers on the profound challenges and inspiring momentum in rebuilding Syria’s healthcare system after years of conflict and destruction. Dr. Rifai outlines SAMS’s rapid expansion, their core objectives for the future, and the vital partnerships enabling medical relief efforts for millions of Syrians.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction & SAMS Background

[00:37–02:25]

• Dr. Rifai introduces himself as an ophthalmology physician and retina specialist based in Pensacola, Florida, now serving as President of SAMS.
• SAMS was founded in 1998 as an educational society for Syrian-American medical professionals.
• Its mission shifted in 2012 with the Syrian revolution, focusing on medical relief, advocacy, and testimony on atrocities.
• Scale of Operations: Before the liberation of Syria, SAMS delivered over 3 million medical services annually across 13 hospitals in northwest Syria.

Quote:
"On any particular day in Northwest Syria, more than 10,000 services would be delivered all across Northwest Syria to a population of about 6 million."
— Dr. Rifai [01:26]

2. Transition and Expansion After Liberation

[02:25–04:16]

• SAMS’s profile heightened during the Syrian revolution, receiving trust and support from major international donors such as USAID and U.N. agencies.
• Post-liberation (December 2024), SAMS has expanded its operations across all 13 provinces in Syria, quadrupling its membership and significantly increasing its reach.

3. Strategic Objectives of SAMS

[04:16–06:50] Dr. Rifai outlines four major priorities:

• Elevating Quality of Care: Standardizing clinical practice, raising the standard of care across the country.
• Expanding Workforce: Training the next generation of physicians, nurses, and allied professionals.
• Addressing Urgent Health Needs: Rapid deployment in newly liberated or underserved regions, especially for refugees and internally displaced people.
• Providing Specialized Care: Establishment of centers of excellence in advanced cardiology, oncology, cochlear implants, and retinal surgery.

Quote:
"Our core strategic objectives as SAMS... to play a major role in elevating the quality of medical care that is being provided inside Syria, to standardize the clinical practice, have high impact on the care that is being delivered, and also work on training future generations of physicians."
— Dr. Rifai [04:38]

4. The Hardest Challenge Ahead

[06:50–08:14]

• Dr. Rifai identifies medical education and training as the most difficult yet most impactful challenge, especially against a backdrop of devastated infrastructure.
• Rebuilding facilities, acquiring equipment, and training qualified medical staff represent “gigantic tasks.”

Quote:
"Trying to rebuild the healthcare system is going to be a monumental task... having the staff, the trained staff, strengthening the healthcare system, those are two gigantic tasks."
— Dr. Rifai [07:20]

5. Opportunities for Growth in 2026

[08:14–10:39]

• Cooperation with Ministry of Health: Identifying and filling unmet medical needs.
• Centers of Excellence:
  • Upcoming radiation oncology center in Hama (to serve 5–6 million people).
  • Advanced cardiac center in Idlib offering minimally invasive heart surgery and pediatric interventions.
  • Regular international exchange, with visiting physicians supplementing local care.
• SAMS Institute: Ongoing education via simulation labs, training, and conferences for medical students and residents.

Quote:
"In a few weeks we will be launching a radiation oncology center in Hama... a huge center that will be servicing probably about 5 to 6 million people in Syria."
— Dr. Rifai [09:02]

6. Partnerships, Advocacy, and International Support

[10:39–14:38]

• U.S. health systems (AdventHealth, Ascension Health, Orlando Health) have donated hospital beds and equipment, shipped in containers to Syria.
• ASM (America Care) and others have aided with medication and consumables—“more than 70 containers” sent in 2025 alone.
• Noted gratitude for international support, but also more limited government aid in recent years. SAMS continues advocacy with U.S. government and think tanks.
• Dr. Rifai describes his frequent trips to Syria — “eleven times since liberation” — to assess and address needs directly.

Quote:
"One hospital donated more than 300 hospital beds... AdventHealth has been giving us... more than 120 intensive care unit specialized beds... all put in containers and were shipped overseas. And right now they are underground, you know, in public sector hospitals providing and assisting."
— Dr. Rifai [11:25]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• The Scale and Urgency of the Need:
  "There are still more than 1 million people that live in refugee camps and tents inside Syria." — Dr. Rifai [05:37]
• On Perseverance and Advocacy:
  "This did not come out of a vacuum. It's just basically SAMS’ constant effort to advocate, attend meetings, reach out to partners, to basically advocate on behalf of the Syrian population." — Dr. Rifai [12:40]
• On his personal commitment:
  "Since the liberation of Syria last year, 2025, I've been to Syria 11 times. Every four to five weeks I go for about a week." — Dr. Rifai [13:54]

Important Timestamps

• [00:59] – Dr. Rifai’s introduction and the beginnings of SAMS
• [02:25] – Dr. Rifai describes SAMS’s pivotal role in Syria’s crisis
• [04:16] – Strategic priorities for SAMS, post-liberation
• [06:50] – Discussing challenges in rebuilding healthcare infrastructure and training
• [08:23] – Centres of excellence and new projects in oncology and cardiology
• [10:53] – Partnerships with U.S. health systems and international aid logistics
• [13:54] – Dr. Rifai’s ongoing trips to Syria and direct involvement

Summary

This episode is a testament to SAMS’s rapid expansion and unwavering commitment to rebuilding a healthcare system from devastation. Dr. Rifai provides both a sobering assessment of the immense needs in Syria—especially in workforce training and infrastructure—and inspires with stories of tangible international support, innovation, and resilient leadership. For health leaders and listeners alike, it offers both practical insights and a call to sustained global solidarity.