Thank you for your interest in Penn’s Internal Medicine-Primary Care Residency Program. Our program is committed to training physician-leaders in all areas of general internal medicine, including community primary care, academic medicine, research and public health. Since its inception in 1997, the program has been a national leader in primary care training. The Primary Care Program is fully integrated with the department’s Categorical Internal Medicine residency training program, yet distinct in its emphasis on primary and ambulatory care. This integration allows our residents to receive the absolute best in inpatient medicine training while, at the same time, experiencing focused clinical and didactic ambulatory curricula.
In addition to your continuity clinic experience, all Primary Care residents work in other ambulatory venues including HIV Primary Care, Philadelphia City Health Centers, General Gynecology, Buprenorphine Clinic, Geriatrics and clinics with specialized care for Latinos.
Program mission statement
Our mission is to train compassionate, innovative physician leaders and advocates who deliver culturally and contextually responsive complex primary care to underserved communities and build enduring healthcare relationships. We foster a community of belonging that values diversity, intellectual curiosity, a drive for clinical excellence, and kindness.
Primary care program leadership
Meet the Primary Care Program Leadership team.
D. Rani Nandiwada, MD, Program Director
D. Rani Nandiwada, MD is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine. She went to medical school at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science, primary care residency at New York University where she did a chief year, and an Academic Clinician Educator Scholar General Internal Medicine Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh where she received her Masters in Medical Education. She served as the Director of the Medical Education and Leadership track for the Internal Medicine Residency Program for 6 years prior to becoming the Primary Care Program Director. She also course directs medical student curricula focusing on health system science and outpatient primary care. One of her biggest goals for the program is a focus on the growth mindset and coaching from good to great. She is married to Jay, an intensivist, who is an avid Star Wars fan and has a nine-year-old, Seetha, who has glitter in her blood, Kai a 3-year-old who thinks he is a dinosaur, Sanjay the baby who thinks he’s a puppy, and an actual poodle named Potato, who also thinks her son is a puppy. She is a self-proclaimed carbaterian (a person who eats carbs), loves watching horrible romantic comedies with guaranteed happy endings, and cracking corny jokes that no one else thinks are funny.
Rachael Truchil, MD, MPH, Primary Care Residency Clinical Site Director
Rachael Truchil, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction medicine and supervises our second clinic sites including, the district health centers, and our THRIVE Addiction Medicine Clinics. She is a former PCPC graduate and proud of it! She returned to Penn in 2016 and initially split her to time working in the Philadelphia District Health Centers FQHC system and Penn but has since transitioned full time to Penn to expand her reach in addiction medicine. She also course directs the medical student outpatient sub-internship. Outside of work, she likes to spend time outdoors with her husband, two kiddos, and dog. She loves cooking, knitting, and audiobooks.
Renata Holloway, Residency Coordinator
Renata has worked for Penn Medicine for 17 years in various roles and locations, from Pennsylvania Hospital to Radnor. One of her first real jobs was a cashier at SEARS. She loves healthcare and has always been an advocate for patients and she loves helping other people. She is a very outgoing mother and has a passion for cooking and trying new recipes. She also loves spending time with family and shopping. She is excited about this next chapter and looks forward to learning new things and gaining more knowledge.
