Rula Freiji, MD, MPH, Appointed to SMA’s Education Committee
The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is pleased to announce that Rula Freiji, MD, MPH, has been appointed to the Association’s Education Committee.
Dr. Freiji is a pediatrician and pediatric infectious diseases specialist with extensive experience in hospital-based and outpatient care, infectious disease consultation, and preventive health. She earned her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine, where she also completed her pediatric residency and fellowship training in pediatric infectious diseases. She later earned a Master of Public Health with a focus in international health and epidemiology.
Throughout her career, Dr. Freiji has demonstrated a strong commitment to education, prevention, and community health, including mentoring medical and other healthcare professional students and providing educational programs for parents, healthcare professionals, and communities.
"I am particularly interested in preventive health, especially through healthy nutrition and how we can best promote good habits in families,” Dr. Freiji said. “We are seeing more patients with obesity at younger ages, along with increasing rates of type 2 diabetes." She also has a strong interest in promoting healthier, less processed foods and increasing awareness of how artificial ingredients may potentially affect long-term health.
Dr. Freiji looks forward to bringing her clinical, public health, and educational experience to the Committee and contributing to educational initiatives that promote prevention and healthier outcomes for patients and families.
