Dr. Goutham Rao

Goutham Rao, MD, is a family physician and academic leader specializing in family medicine and obesity medicine. He is the Jack H. Medalie Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. He also serves as Chief Clinician Experience Officer for University Hospitals Health System, Division Chief of Family Medicine at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, Director of the University Hospitals Medical Obesity Treatment Program, and Director and Principal Investigator of the UH ADVANCE Center. Dr. Rao’s clinical focus includes weight management across the lifespan, cardiometabolic risk prevention, and nutrition and lifestyle-based primary care. His research interests center on health services research, diagnostic reasoning and decision science, and clinical epidemiology and evidence synthesis. Nationally, he serves as a member of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and has held leadership roles including former Chair of the American Heart Association Obesity Committee. He is also Editor-in-Chief of Family Practice and has contributed to national committees focused on child health and quality measurement. Dr. Rao earned his medical degree from McGill University Faculty of Medicine. He completed his residency in family medicine at St. Joseph’s Health Centre through the University of Toronto, followed by a fellowship in faculty development and research methods at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital through the University of Pittsburgh.