Meet the Doctor: Adeeb Khalifeh, MD
Adeeb Khalifeh, MD, recently was named Chief of the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia. He sees patients in the Einstein Ob/Gyn Associates office in the Klein Building on Old York Road.
Dr. Khalifeh is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Maternal Fetal Medicine. He is also an Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University.
We recently spoke with Dr. Khalifeh about his career, his interests and maternal fetal medicine at Einstein.
Q: Why did you decide to become a doctor?
A: My interest in the medical field stems from growing up with physician parents. Our daily conversations revolved around the issues my parents faced with their patients and how they resolved them.
I was always inspired by the positive impact my parents, as well as other physicians, had on our community, and especially on the underserved population. To this day, I can’t imagine doing anything else other than being a physician.
Q: Tell us about your education background.
A: I obtained my medical degree at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland. I trained in obstetrics in Dublin, and then decided to pursue a residency in the United States. I completed my residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Lankenau Medical Center in the Philadelphia suburbs, and my fellowship in maternal fetal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University. I have been practicing at Einstein since 2017.
Q: Why did you choose your specialty?
A: My interest in obstetrics and gynecology started early in my medical training. It is one of the few specialties that involve a happy event to share with patients. It is the only specialty, as an obstetrician, where a physician is tasked with taking care of two patients at the same time.
On many occasions, patients in this field go through life changing events and make decisions that would impact their lives, as well as the lives of their loved ones, and I feel privileged to be in a position to help them make these important decisions. It’s what motivates me every morning.
Q: What are your clinical interests?
A: I am a subspecialist in maternal fetal medicine, which means that I care for mothers with high-risk pregnancies that are not routine or where the baby is facing a birth defect. Within my subspecialty, I am especially interested in the area of diabetes in pregnancy, and in managing and monitoring the impact this disease has on mother and baby, including an increased risk of congenital heart defects.
Q: What drew you to Einstein?
A: The community Einstein serves is very special. I feel very fortunate to be able to serve patients from all walks of life, different backgrounds and different cultures. I enjoy learning about my patients and helping them make decisions that work for their specific circumstances. This cultural richness is unique to Einstein.
Another aspect of Einstein that drew me to it is the collegiality of the clinical faculty. The physician community here, including in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, is extremely collaborative, making our daily challenging tasks easier to achieve. I could tell that this culture starts with the leadership and emanates throughout the institution. It is one of the reasons I look forward to showing up every single day. It also protects against burnout, which is common in the medical field.
Q: Why should people choose Einstein for their obstetrics care?
A: Here at Einstein, we provide consistent evidence-based medical care, establishing a culture of safety and advocacy for our patients. At Einstein, patients can feel comfortable knowing that the entire medical care team shares a common goal, which is to achieve the best possible outcome for both mother and baby. We take a holistic and personalized approach in our care, taking into consideration every patient’s specific medical, physical and cultural needs and preferences.
Q: What are your interests outside of work?
A: Outside of the hospital, I enjoy playing tennis. My goal is to be more disciplined in getting to the courts even in the cold months. I also recently started practicing yoga, and am pleasantly surprised by how much I like it. I also enjoy spending time with my family.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM), by Hal Elrod. I have found this book very helpful for work and life.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: I like the dark humor in Wes Anderson movies. One of my favorites is The Royal Tenenbaums. I also really enjoy the James Bond movies. My favorite is Dr. No.
Q: What is your favorite sports team?
A: I’m a Chelsea soccer fan, but it gets challenging at times to watch the games with the time difference.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: Maui, Hawaii. It is a wonderful place to disconnect from the intensity of everyday life and to reconnect with nature.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant?
A: I love exploring Philadelphia’s exceptional food scene. But I never get tired of Parc on Rittenhouse Square. It is a classic, and the ambiance and food are great.
Q: What is something that most people don’t know about you?
A: I grew up during the civil war in Beirut, Lebanon. It was challenging and at times traumatizing in many respects. I cannot deny, however, that the experience instilled resilience in me, and that has served me my entire life.
As Lebanon was once a French colony, I grew up going to a French school, where French was the spoken language. As a result, I grew up bilingual and fluent in both French and Arabic.
I have emigrated twice in my life, first to Ireland and then to the United States. I feel very grateful for the opportunity to plant roots in this country.
