Dr. Rahel T. Ruiz immigrated from Ethiopia at age 10 and went on to attend Harvard Medical School.

With over two decades of experience in internal medicine, geriatrics, women’s health, and hospice care, Dr. Ruiz prioritizes preventive medicine and patient partnership. She believes mutual respect is key and values the trust that patients place in her.

Fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish, Dr. Ruiz enjoys gardening, reading, hiking, and spending time with her children. Board certification includes the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1999.

Rahel T Ruiz, MD, always knew she wanted to be a doctor. “My desire to practice medicine was sparked at an early age. I have always wanted to help improve people’s lives and health.” Dr. Ruiz immigrated to the United States at the age of ten because of civil unrest in her native country of Ethiopia. After attending Harvard Medical School, she completed her residency locally at the Alameda County Medical Center, Highland Campus. She now has twenty years of experience in internal medicine, geriatrics, women’s health, and hospice care. When treating patients, Dr. Ruiz believes strongly in preventive medicine. Her goal is to act as her patients’ partner in health, and she enjoys working with them to follow preventive medicine guidelines for chronic diseases, immunizations, and other aspects of care. And when it comes to the patient-doctor relationship, “mutual respect is key,” she emphasizes. “I view it as an honor when patients choose to trust me with their care.” Outside of work, Dr. Ruiz enjoys gardening, reading, hiking, and spending time with her two children.