About Chethana Rao, MD
Chethana Rao, MD, is a distinguished healthcare professional with over two decades of clinical experience and over a decade of healthcare practice management experience. She is the Owner and Founder of Prima Medicine and Prima Medgov, facilities providing health services in the greater Northern VA area since 2010 and 2021, respectively. Prima Immediate Care opened in 2023. Dr. Rao is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.
In 2023, Dr. Rao founded Prima Medicine Concierge Care to provide patients with an enhanced level of service. Dr. Rao’s areas of special interest include lifestyle medicine, chronic diseases, headache management, diabetes, hypertension, and preventive care.
Honors and Awards
- Northern Virginia, Top Doctor, 2023
- Washingtonian Magazine, Top Doctor, 2022
- Top ranked in overall academic performance in the graduating class of Bangalore University.
- Recipient of the “Dr. P.R. Desai – Gold Medal,” “Raja Bhai Prize for Excellence”, and “First Class with Distinction”, Bangalore University 1993
- Outstanding Service Award – Kaveri Association, Washington D.C. – Recipient for 10 consecutive years in a row
Prior to starting Prima Medicine, Dr. Rao served as a Staff Physician from 2003-2011 treating outpatient, assisted living, and nursing home patients. Dr. Rao implemented a team approach to geriatric patient care by providing general medical care, diagnosing illnesses and disease, and directing practitioners, nurses, and other support staff in the execution of the patient’s treatment plan. Throughout this time, she mentored Geriatric Medicine Fellows from the University of Virginia and from the George Washington Hospital Program. Dr. Rao demonstrated outstanding organizational and time-management abilities utilized to quickly resolve problems for optimal improvement and patient service.
In her free time, Dr. Rao mentors high school and college students interested in healthcare. She enjoys yoga, hiking, reading, and travelling.
“I have always believed in compassionate care that is patient-focused, backed by a solid knowledge-base and clinical skillset. My goal is to explain complex healthcare issues to patients in a succinct and easily understandable manner while addressing any questions.”
Internships, Research, and Academic Instruction
- Research at University of Tennessee: “Case of Feltys Syndrome Sine Rheumatoid Arthritis”. A case study-Paper Presented at the Southern Medical Association Conference; Charlotte, NC, Nov ’97
- Didactic lecturer for medical students from University of Tennessee Medical School, Memphis
- Didactic lecturer for Physician Assistant students and Nurse practitioner students while at Community Health Center, Columbus, GA.
- Victoria Hospital, Bangalore University: Rotating Internship, Apr 1992 – Apr 1993
- Kidwai Institute of Oncology, India: Sep 1994 – Oct 1994. Research in the Department of Cytogenetics
Kind Words About Dr. Chethana Rao
“What impressed me the most about Dr. Rao was the fact that she treats the root cause of your health problem and not just prescribe you medicine for the symptoms. I am blessed to have found such a forward thinking, preventative and real human doctor. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking to get to the root of their malady.”
-Review Via Healthgrades
“Dr Rao is the best PC doctor I’ve ever had. I’ve been seeing her more than 10 years. She is so knowledgeable and listens and answers all my questions without rushing. She treats me as if I’m her own mother. I’m so blessed to have her. Thank you, Dr. Rao.”
-Review Via Healthgrades