David Rakel MD, FAAFP
Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WisconsinDr. David Rakel is Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Wisconsin. During his time at UW–Madison, he founded the Integrative Medicine Program (now known as the Integrative Health Program) and received the Gold Foundation’s Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, the school’s highest honor for excellence and compassion in care. His team worked with more than 50 clinical systems within the Veterans Health Administration to implement changes to make care more personalized, proactive, and patient-driven.
After residency training in family medicine in Colorado, Dr. Rakel worked in private practice in rural Idaho. His burgeoning interest in the relationships across health, the human experience, and the environment led to a fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona.
An author of both academic and popular writings, Dr. Rakel says one of his missions is to communicate medical information in a way that is accessible to people of all backgrounds.
Recent Contributions to PracticeUpdate:
- DASH and Mediterranean-Like Diet Associated With Slower Cognitive Decline
- Low-Risk Diet and Lifestyle Habits in the Primary Prevention of Myocardial Infarction in Men
- HDL Cholesterol Inversely Related to Cancer Risk in Patients With T2DM
- Risk for Colorectal Cancer Differs With Non-Fiber and Fiber Laxative Use
- Liver Injuries Are Commonly Associated With Dietary Supplements
- Benign Anorectal Disorders—Part 2: Fecal Incontinence, Chronic Anal Fissures, and Hemorrhoids
- Benign Anorectal Disorders—Part 1: Chronic Constipation, Dyssynergia, and Proctalgia
- Increased Vegetable Intake Reduces Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Effects of Low-Carbohydrate vs Low-Fat Diets
- Comparison of Weight Loss Achieved Among Various Diet Programs