Dr. Rahul Gupta (Rahul), born in India and raised in suburban Washington, D.C., has had a remarkable career in medicine, public health, and leadership. After completing high school, he enrolled at UCMS in 1988. Following his graduation, Rahul returned to the United States to pursue internal medicine residency training at Northwestern University School of Medicine from 1996 to 1999. His commitment to public health led him to complete an MPH program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2006. Later, he earned an MBA from the London School of Business and Finance in 2016.
Rahul’s impactful journey continued as he served as the local health officer and later as the executive director at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department between 2009 and 2014. During this time, he played a crucial role in addressing health challenges faced by the community. His dedication to public service led him to serve as the Commissioner of Public Health and West Virginia State Health Officer from 2015 to 2018.
From 2018 to 2021, Rahul served as the Chief Medical and Health Officer for the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization focused on maternal and child health. His leadership and expertise contributed to advancing their public health initiatives during his tenure.
President Biden recognized Rahul’s unique perspective as a practicing physician and former health official who had witnessed the devastating impact of addiction and overdose firsthand. President Biden nominated him and he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in October 2021. In a historic milestone, Rahul became the first physician to lead the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) when he was appointed as its Director in 2021. As the Director, Rahul is committed to data-driven strategies that promote healthier and safer communities across the country.
Beyond his professional achievements, Rahul shares a special bond with his wife, Seema, also a UCMS alumna from the 1995 batch. Together, they are proud parents of identical twin sons, Arka and Drew.
Recently, on November 23, 2023, Rahul officially returned to his alma mater, UCMS, where he received an emotional welcome from students and faculty. His career trajectory exemplifies compassion, dedication and a persistent commitment to improving public health globally.