Rakhee Bhayani, MD

Biography

Dr. Rakhee K. Bhayani, MD, is a professor of medicine and Vice Chair for Advancing Women’s Careers in the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. With a background in biomedical engineering from Duke University and medical training at Washington University School of Medicine for medical school and residency in Internal Medicine, Dr. Bhayani has dedicated her time to medical education and the promotion of gender equity in medicine. Since joining faculty in 2005, she has been an integral part of the internal medicine residency program. She supervises residents in the primary care clinic in the Center for Outpatient Health. She also helped create the resident wellness initiative called Balance in Medicine and collaborated on the curriculum development of the Reflection Rounds series and the Financial Education Lecture series. She has also served on the Clinical Competency Committee in the past and continues to serve on the Program Evaluation Committee.

Dr. Bhayani has mentored several residents on projects through the Mentors in Medicine program and has served as a mentor and coach to many residents throughout the years. She was elected into the Academy of Educators in 2022. Dr. Bhayani also has extensive experience and expertise in furthering gender equity. She is a founding member of the Forum for Women in Medicine (FWIM) and led the professional development initiative aimed at providing women trainees skill-building workshops, networking events, and career development support for almost a decade. Dr. Bhayani, in her new role as Vice Chair, oversees FWIM and now directs Advancing Women in Academic Medicine (AWAM), a newly restructured initiative aimed at providing career development and promotion support for women faculty.

Dr. Bhayani works closely with several organizations such as the Academic Women’s Network at WashU and American Medical Women’s Association, both the local student organization and nationally. Her expertise has led to multiple speaking engagements locally and nationally and leadership positions on national committees at the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine and the Society for General Internal Medicine. Dr. Bhayani continues provide education in the outpatient setting to the internal medicine residents and also oversees the integration of gender equity programs and initiatives, helping to support and advance the careers of women faculty and trainees in medicine.