Rupal Yu, MD, MPH

I grew up in Quitman, Arkansas on a farm with my parents and younger sister, and I am a first-generation college graduate and sole medical provider amongst my extended family. I am board-certified in Family Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. I chose to become a doctor at a very young age and like most physicians, I have always enjoyed taking care of others. Growing up in an isolated, rural, town – I saw firsthand what it was like to live in a community with a lack of medical resources, and I grew up in a family that didn’t speak “medical jargon” or understand how to navigate a healthcare system. I was a part of a community that had a lot of distrust of the medical system. My hope for becoming a doctor was to bridge the gap between my local community and the medical system. I hoped to be a familiar and trustworthy face who could understand both “languages” and by doing so, provide better care for my patients. I love family medicine because it allows me to care for people of all ages – from birth to death and every stage in between. My biggest passion is geriatric medicine. However, as a new parent, I do have a newfound passion for caring for pregnant people, newborns and families as well. When I am not at work, I enjoy time spending with my family and my dogs, crocheting, baking and having time around/riding horses.

I am a triple Tar Heel, having received my bachelor's, medical and public health degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to medical school, I worked as a counselor and teacher for troubled teenagers on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and then as a Peace Corps volunteer in rural health in the Amazon Jungle of Ecuador. I have wanted to be a physician since I was seven years old. Although I took a round-about pathway, my life as a doctor is amazing. I love nothing better than seeing patients, from birth to the end of life and everything in between. I consider it a true privilege to serve my community, and every day I thank my lucky stars for what I do. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, four children and rescue dog. I enjoy hiking, fishing, reading, movies, gardening, playing games and traveling.

I grew up watching Marcus Welby, MD on TV, and I was inspired by the role model! Then, during high school, I got a job working as a tech in the operating room at Georgetown Hospital in D.C., and I was hooked. I believe in the partnership model of care with my patients, supporting shared decision-making and tailoring my approach to the individual person who entrusts me with their care. Outside of work, I love to cook, explore new cuisines, woodworking and carpentry.