Dr Raymond Hreiche, MD, PhD is a consultant family medicine physician at King’s College Hospital Dubai, with a special focus on lifestyle medicine covering sleep, nutrition, movement, and mental health. His path runs through five countries: pharmacy in Lebanon, a master’s in Paris, a PhD in Montreal, then medicine and anaesthetics training in the UK for over 17 years, before relocating to Dubai. Less than four weeks into his Dubai chapter, he already sounds like he has been here for months. In this interview, he shares what made the transition so smooth, what lifestyle medicine actually needs to work, and why he says Dubai has exceeded his expectations.
The Background
Dr Hreiche’s path to Dubai is unconventional. From pharmacy in Lebanon to a master’s in Paris, a PhD in Montreal, then medicine and anaesthetics training in the UK. That route shaped his evidence-based approach to family medicine, with a special focus on lifestyle medicine: sleep, nutrition, movement, and mental health. Dr Sonia Saib’s journey to American Hospital Dubai reflects her diverse experiences in medicine. Her background includes extensive training and a strong commitment to holistic patient care.
Time That Makes a Difference
After 17 years in the UK, Dr Hreiche found what lifestyle medicine truly needs at King’s College Hospital Dubai: time with patients. Dr Sami Habal’s advice for UK doctors emphasizes the importance of personalized patient care. He believes that taking the time to truly understand each patient’s needs can significantly improve health outcomes.
“People actually want time to talk about their life and what can be changed. Here you can build rapport with the patient. It’s just building blocks. Simple changes are what last.”
For lifestyle medicine in particular, this is the difference between a checklist consultation and a conversation that actually changes patient behaviour over time.
The Lebanese Connection
While many Western-trained doctors arrive not knowing anyone, Dr Hreiche had an instant network.
“At every corner, every other night I go meet someone. Yesterday I recognized a patient from his last name. Turned out to be his uncle.”
Even a pediatrician colleague at King’s reached out before he landed, offering support because he remembered his own first weeks in Dubai. “He wanted to make sure I had someone here. Really kind.”
The Smooth Process
What stood out was something doctors moving from Europe rarely expect: he actually praised Dubai’s admin. Dr julia ellert’s cardiologist’s journey from denmark to dubai highlights the global nature of modern medicine. She found that the healthcare landscape in Dubai offered unique opportunities for growth and advancement.
“I’ve lived in Lebanon, France, UK and Canada. Here, bank account on induction day, Emirates ID delivered wherever you are, driver’s license in 15 minutes. Everything done in under three weeks.”
Four countries to compare against, and Dubai still came out ahead on the practical setup that usually drains the first few months of any relocation.
The Clinical Reality
The most reassuring part of the early weeks for Dr Hreiche has been how recognisable the clinical environment feels.
“It doesn’t feel foreign. Everyone says the same thing: do whatever you were doing in the UK. Just do good clinical work.”
Equipment? Excellent. Nursing staff? Supportive. The approach? Collaborative.
“Everyone’s very approachable. We have discussions and reach something together. That’s how medicine works anyway.”
The Timeline
From payment to job offer to arrival: less than three months.
“The licensing was so straightforward. I thought there would be lots of paperwork. It felt so simple.”
The Bottom Line
“It has exceeded my expectations. I have nothing negative to say.”
From a consultant less than a month in, that is not politeness. It is the assessment of someone who has lived in four countries, speaks three languages, and knows exactly what he is looking for.
Family closer. Time to practise medicine properly. Administrative efficiency that works. A community at every corner.
Sometimes you find home in unexpected places.
About Dr Raymond Hreiche
Dr Raymond Hreiche, MD, PhD, is a consultant family medicine physician at King’s College Hospital Dubai. His training spans pharmacy in Lebanon, a master’s in Paris, a PhD in Montreal, and 17 years in medicine and anaesthetics in the UK. His clinical focus is family medicine with a special interest in lifestyle medicine: sleep, nutrition, movement, and mental health.
How Allocation Assist Supports Doctors Moving to the Gulf
As a medical recruitment and healthcare jobs consultancy in Dubai, our team has placed hundreds of Western-trained doctors across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar over the past 11 years, with a network of 95+ hospitals.
Key Areas of Support
- Hospital matching, based on your specialty, sub-interests, and family priorities.
- DHA, DOH, MOHAP, and SCFHS licensing, fully managed from start to finish.
- Contract review and negotiation, including salary, package, and insurance terms.
- Relocation and family logistics, including schooling, housing, and post-arrival support.
- Ongoing peer community, connecting you with doctors who have made the same move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr Raymond Hreiche?
Dr Raymond Hreiche, MD, PhD, is a consultant family medicine physician at King’s College Hospital Dubai, with a special focus on lifestyle medicine covering sleep, nutrition, movement, and mental health. His training spans Lebanon, France, Canada, and the UK.
How long did Dr Hreiche’s move from the UK to Dubai take?
Under three months from payment to job offer to arrival. He has described the licensing process as “so straightforward”, adding “I thought there would be lots of paperwork. It felt so simple.”
What is lifestyle medicine?
Lifestyle medicine is an evidence-based approach to family medicine that focuses on sleep, nutrition, movement, and mental health as the building blocks of patient outcomes. For Dr Hreiche, the difference at King’s College Hospital Dubai is having the time with patients needed to make this approach actually work.
What did Dr Hreiche find most different about practising in Dubai?
The amount of time he gets with patients. “People actually want time to talk about their life and what can be changed. Here you can build rapport with the patient. It’s just building blocks. Simple changes are what last.” For lifestyle medicine, this is what makes the work meaningful.
What surprised Dr Hreiche about Dubai’s administrative process?
Having lived in Lebanon, France, the UK, and Canada, he expected friction. Instead, he got: “bank account on induction day, Emirates ID delivered wherever you are, driver’s license in 15 minutes. Everything done in under three weeks.”
How does the clinical environment in Dubai compare to the UK?
Dr Hreiche describes it as recognisable: “It doesn’t feel foreign. Everyone says the same thing: do whatever you were doing in the UK. Just do good clinical work.” Equipment is excellent, nursing staff are supportive, and the team approach is collaborative.
Where does Dr Raymond Hreiche work in Dubai?
Dr Hreiche is a consultant family medicine physician at King’s College Hospital Dubai.
How can Allocation Assist help me move to Dubai as a family medicine doctor?
Allocation Assist has placed hundreds of Western-trained doctors across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar over the past 11 years, with a network of 95+ hospitals. The team handles hospital matching, DHA licensing, contract negotiation, relocation logistics, and post-arrival support.
