Rakhee Bhayani, MD

Dr. Rakhee K. Bhayani, MD, is a professor of medicine and Vice Chair for Wellness and Engagement in the Department of Medicine at WashU Medicine. With a background in biomedical engineering from Duke University and medical training at WashU Medicine for medical school and residency in Internal 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 over the years. She was elected into the Academy of Educators in 2022. Dr. Bhayani also has extensive experience and expertise in advancing gender equity. She was a founding member of Future Workforce in Medicine (FWIM) and led the professional development initiative for nearly a decade, providing women trainees with skill-building workshops, networking opportunities, and career development support. In her previous role as Vice Chair for Career Advancement, she oversaw FWIM and later directed Advancing the Workforce in Medicine (AWAM), a restructured initiative designed to provide career development and promotion support for women faculty. Both FWIM and AWAM are no longer active as of July 1, 2026.

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.