Dr. Rafael Antonio Jiménez Cruz

Dr. Rafael Antonio Jiménez Cruz is one of the Dominican Republic's most experienced gastroenterologists, with over 21 years of clinical practice at Centro Médico UCE in Santo Domingo. His dual expertise in gastroenterology and hepatology — the latter acquired through a dedicated fellowship — allows him to manage a comprehensive range of digestive and liver conditions, from common gastrointestinal complaints to complex inflammatory bowel disease and chronic liver disease. Dr. Jiménez Cruz is recognized as a leader in therapeutic endoscopy in the Dominican Republic, performing advanced procedures including ERCP and capsule endoscopy that require both technical skill and significant clinical experience. Over two decades of practice, he has built a substantial patient base that includes Dominican nationals as well as international patients and expatriates who rely on Centro Médico UCE's well-equipped gastroenterology unit for diagnostic and interventional procedures. He is known for his systematic diagnostic approach, his ability to communicate complex gastrointestinal conditions in accessible terms, and his long-term commitment to patient follow-up and chronic disease management.

Dr. Jiménez Cruz completed his MD at a recognized Dominican medical school before undertaking a full residency in Internal Medicine, followed by a specialist fellowship in Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy. He subsequently completed an additional fellowship in Hepatology, reflecting his clinical interest in liver disease, which is particularly prevalent in the Caribbean region given the burden of hepatitis B and C and alcohol-related liver conditions. His training included advanced endoscopic techniques — including ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound, and capsule endoscopy — as well as hepatic histopathology and liver biopsy interpretation. He maintains active membership in the Sociedad Dominicana de Gastroenterología and the Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver, through which he engages in ongoing continuing medical education.

Dr. Jiménez Cruz provides the full spectrum of gastroenterological and hepatological care. His diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy services include colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening and polyp removal, upper endoscopy for evaluation of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, and capsule endoscopy for small bowel assessment in cases of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or suspected Crohn's disease involvement of the small intestine. He performs ERCP for the management of bile duct stones, biliary strictures, and pancreatic duct disorders — a technically demanding procedure requiring specialized training. In hepatology, he manages patients with hepatitis B and C (including antiviral therapy protocols), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, and autoimmune liver conditions, and performs liver biopsies for histological diagnosis. For inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), he oversees the diagnosis and long-term management of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, including coordination of biologic therapies where indicated. He also manages GERD, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and gallbladder and pancreatic disorders.

With more than two decades of clinical practice, Dr. Jiménez Cruz has made meaningful contributions to gastroenterological knowledge in the Dominican Republic and the broader Caribbean region. He has presented research at regional and international gastroenterology and hepatology conferences, with a focus on the epidemiology and management of hepatitis C in the Caribbean, colorectal cancer screening uptake in the Dominican population, and outcomes of ERCP procedures in a resource-appropriate setting. He has participated in collaborative studies with the Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver examining liver disease burden and access to antiviral treatment in Latin America and the Caribbean. Dr. Jiménez Cruz has also contributed to postgraduate medical education, training internal medicine residents in basic endoscopic techniques and gastroenterological clinical reasoning.

Centro Médico UCE is a well-regarded private medical center in Santo Domingo with modern endoscopy and hepatology facilities capable of supporting the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic gastroenterological procedures. Dr. Jiménez Cruz conducts consultations in Spanish and English and is experienced in working with international patients who may need expedited diagnostic pathways or coordinated care plans that account for travel logistics. The Dominican Republic is increasingly recognized as a medical tourism destination, and gastroenterology services — particularly colonoscopy and liver disease evaluation — are sought by international patients who face long wait times or high costs in their home countries. Pre-procedure consultations can be conducted via video for patients who wish to plan their visit in advance, and post-procedure follow-up can be managed remotely for patients returning home after their diagnostic or interventional procedure.

Dr. Jiménez Cruz is a respected figure within the Dominican medical community, recognized for his clinical expertise, his contributions to gastroenterological education, and his role in advancing diagnostic endoscopy capabilities in the Dominican Republic. His membership in the Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver reflects his standing as a regional expert in hepatology. He has been acknowledged by the Sociedad Dominicana de Gastroenterología for his contributions to the specialty, including his participation in national campaigns to increase colorectal cancer screening awareness. Colleagues and patients recognize him for his thoroughness, his commitment to evidence-based management of chronic digestive diseases, and his approachable patient communication style.