Rafael E Ruiz Gaviria Sr., MD

Specialty-trained in both internal medicine and infectious disease, Rafael Ruiz-Gaviria, MD, offers diagnosis, treatment and management of various infectious diseases, including HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, hospital acquired infections, hardware infections and tropical diseases.

Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Dr. Ruiz Gaviria has always been intrigued by the links between human behavior and disease and how transmittable diseases shape how people live and interact. After medical school, he stayed in Colombia to work for the Unit of Infectious Diseases at San Ignacio University Hospital, before coming to the U.S. to pursue his internal medicine residency at Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland and fellowship training in infectious disease at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC.

Dr. Ruiz Gaviria’s philosophy of care is to build trusted physician-patient relationships based on honesty. He wants patients to feel comfortable opening up about their …health problems. At the same time, he strives to instill a sense of confidence in his abilities to care for patients, so they know he will always be straightforward in providing answers and recommending the best next steps to improve their health.

Practicing medicine in both developed and developing countries, Dr. Ruiz Gaviria has gained experience working with diverse populations, being resourceful, and treating a wide range of diseases and other health issues. Having seen the negative health implications and prejudices that can come with many infectious diseases, he is sensitive to finding solutions that address all aspects of a person’s wellbeing, including social determinants of health.

Dr. Ruiz Gaviria is proud of his Colombian roots. He aims to give back to his home country however he can and is passionate about many pastimes from his culture, including latin dancing and playing futbol.