Dhara  Patel, DO, MPH
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Duke Health Clinician
I want my patients to feel heard, respected, and supported in their health journey. I aim to work together toward the goals that matter most to them.
– Dhara Patel, DO, MPH

Dhara Patel, DO, MPH

Internal Medicine Doctor, Primary Care Doctor

Duke Health Clinician
Where I See Patients
Duke Outpatient Clinic - Durham, NC
I want my patients to feel heard, respected, and supported in their health journey. I aim to work together toward the goals that matter most to them.
– Dhara Patel, DO, MPH

My Locations

Duke Outpatient Clinic

About Me

I believe good primary care starts with meeting patients where they are. I like to understand what matters most to each person and work together to develop a plan that fits their health goals, values, and everyday life. I care for patients across a range of preventive, acute, and chronic health needs, and I believe that effective care should be both evidence-based and personalized. I strive to create a welcoming environment where patients feel comfortable asking questions and discussing their concerns openly. I am especially motivated by the opportunity to build long-term relationships with my patients and support them through different stages of life. My goal is not simply to treat illness but to partner with each patient to help them achieve and maintain the best possible health. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my family.

flag for LGBTQ+ Identified or Ally LGBTQ+ Identified or Ally

Current Appointments and Affiliations

Patients I Treat

Adults

Languages I Speak

English

Call for an Appointment

Training and Education

Fellowship

Internal Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 2026

Residency

Internal Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 2020-2023

Chief Residency, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 2023-2024

Education

DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2020

MPH, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2026

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

I study how extreme weather affects health, with a focus on identifying people and communities at greatest risk. My research examines patterns of temperature-related illness and death across the United States and how social and environmental factors shape these risks. My goal is to use this research to improve prevention, inform health policy, and help patients and communities better prepare for the health effects of a changing climate.

Publications

Insurance Accepted

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.

    • Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
    • Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
    • Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
    • Aetna HMO
    • Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice POS
    • Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
    • Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
    • Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
    • Aetna Open Choice PPO
    • Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
    • Aetna Select HMO
    • Aetna Traditional Choice
    • Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
    • Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
    • Aetna/CVS Health
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
    • Blue Advantage (*Available in select counties only)
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • Blue Value (*Duke Health Lake Norman and Kernodle Clinics only)
    • NC State Employees Health Plan
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.

    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus
    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.

    • Cigna Care
    • Duke Advantage
    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Options
    • Duke Select
    • Duke USA
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Healthgram
    • Humana Choice (PPO)
    • Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
    • Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
    • Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
  • MedCost
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
    • Alliance Health
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • Healthy Blue
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • Partners
    • Trillium
    • UHC Community Plan
    • Vaya Health
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
    • AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
    • AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
    • All Savers Alternate Funding
    • All Savers Fully Insured
    • United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
    • United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
    • United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
    • United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
    • United Healthcare Option PPO
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
    • United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
    • United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
    • United Medical Resources (UMR)
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

    • **Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.

External Relationships

Duke requires faculty members to report certain relationships outside of their employment in order to ensure potential conflicts can be addressed. This faculty member has reported no outside activities that relate to their Duke responsibilities.

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