Dr. Hawayek's training has taken her across the globe, starting at the American University of Beirut, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and went on to earn her medical degree in 1999, and completed a year of internship during which she rotated in Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, and other related specialties. She also completed a year of Surgical Anatomical Pathology. She then enrolled at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine where she completed an internship in Internal Medicine, followed by residency in Dermatology, under notable chair Dr. Diya Mutasim. During this time, Dr. Hawayek was appointed chief resident in her final year. She became board certified in Dermatology in 2005.