By Dr. Alaa Rihan
My name is Alaa Rihan. Before 2020, I was simply Dr. Rihan, living a fulfilling life in Beirut. I graduated from the School of Medicine at Beirut Arab University in 2011, then joined the American University of Beirut, where I completed four years of family medicine training in 2015. Those 11 years had been the longest chapter of my life, but I was finally ready to embrace the joys of family life and a growing career in family medicine. Blessed with a daughter and a son, my husband and I built a peaceful life amid the beauty of Lebanon.
In 2019, as Lebanon’s economy began to collapse, I planned to relocate to Abu Dhabi. I worked tirelessly to get licensed again, determined to provide my family with a better future. But just as my plans solidified, COVID-19 brought the world to a halt. My offer was frozen, and like so many others, I found myself adjusting to an uncertain reality. I continued practicing medicine in Beirut, delving deeply into public health efforts during the pandemic. It was a time of professional fulfillment, but more importantly, it allowed me to enjoy precious moments with my family. My days were filled with structure, purpose, and love, even amidst the chaos.
Then, on August 4, 2020, everything changed. Beirut’s port explosion shattered our lives, ranking among the most devastating explosions in modern history. More than 200 lives were lost, more than 7,000 were injured, and countless others were left with wounds that went far beyond the physical. I will never forget the scenes of devastation, walking on rubble, removing shards of glass from people’s bodies, and hearing heart-wrenching stories of loss. I treated wounds in the streets, but I could feel my own heart breaking with every passing moment.
It took two days of soul-searching to make the hardest decision of my life. For the safety of my children, I decided it was time to seek some new opportunities and time away from Beirut. Leaving Beirut meant pausing my career and stepping away from my family, friends, patients, and the memories of a life I had loved. On September 6, 2020, I arrived in Texas with my children, carrying the weight of that uncertainty. My husband stayed behind, fulfilling responsibilities that kept him in Beirut.
The journey that followed was one of perseverance. I enrolled in a Master of Public Health program, determined to forge a new path. I studied relentlessly, passing the three USMLE exams while juggling the roles of student, mother, and caregiver. Alone in a new country, I leaned on the kindness of mentors and the support of friends to navigate the isolation and challenges of starting over. I saw my husband and family only twice a year, but I remained steadfast in my purpose to be able to practice medicine again.
I matched with the Preventive Medicine Residency Program at The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler), and ECFMG sponsored my J-1 visa, for which I am deeply grateful. Especially after the devastating war that recently hit Lebanon, I have been profoundly thankful for the stability and career growth this opportunity has provided. It has given my children and me a sense of safety while allowing me to achieve my educational and professional goals.
Through this journey, I have met many mentors who have guided me. This country has taught me resilience, flexibility, and open-mindedness. I deeply appreciate the diversity and the endless opportunities available for hardworking individuals.
Today, I am the chief resident at the UT Tyler Preventive Medicine Residency Program. I share my story openly because I believe that every person’s journey is unique and filled with lessons that can help others grow. In medicine and in life, it is through open hearts and minds that we truly learn and evolve.
The road has been long, and the challenges are far from over. But as I look back, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities that have come my way and the strength I’ve discovered within myself. My journey is far from finished, and I remain committed to building a brighter future for my family and myself. To all those navigating their own journeys, I offer this: your story matters. Embrace it, share it, and grow from it because, through our stories, we find connection, purpose, and hope.