Amar Duggirala, DO
Board Certified Family Physician
20 years of Medical Practice
Fellowship Trained
"Each person has individual needs. My mission is to help meet their goals and live healthy and productive lives"
Kate Kirksey, DO
Board Certified Family Physician
Diverse Medical Practice Experience
Emergency and Urgent care Trained
"Health is a lifelong journey. I am here to help my patients make the best of their journey."
Philosophy:
Dr. Duggirala and Dr.Kirksey strive to provide the best medical care possible to their patients. They have diversified medical training at world renowned university hospitals, urban clinics, and small rural practices, in places as diverse as New York City, rural Arizona, Vietnam, Appalachia, Guatemala and England.
Through these experiences, they have developed an understanding on how to become better physicians by listening, caring, always striving to learn more and giving each patient the respect and time they deserve.
Their primary goal has always been to to provide the best medical care possible in a timely and compassionate manner. Every aspect of the practice has been carefully built to improve the patient's experience.
Poolesville Family Practice is a proud business sponsor of local non-profit organizations, including Poolesville Green, Poolesville Area Chamber of Commerce, and WUMCO Help Inc.
Awards:
Vitals.com:
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Patient's Choice Award
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Compassionate Doctor Award
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On-Time Award
Consumer's Checkbook
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"Top Rating for Quality"
Angie's List
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"A" Grade Overall
HealthGrades.com:
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Amar Duggirala, DO, MPH
Dr. Duggirala is board certified in Family Medicine (American Board of Family Medicine). He has been practicing in Poolesville since 2006.
Dr.Duggirala completed his Bachelor's degree in International Environmental Studies at the College of Environmental & Biological Sciences at Rutgers University. Dr. Duggirala earned his medical degree from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University.
He completed his family medicine residency at Georgetown University/Providence Hospital. He also served as chief resident at Georgetown in the Department of Family Medicine.
He went on to do a 2 year primary care research fellowship through a combined program with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins University Medical School. He also earned a Master degree in Public Health, specializing in epidemiology, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
He has published research and presented at national medical research meetings. His areas of research have included quality of medical care and pediatric obesity. He has also received two national awards for his research work in quality of medical care.
In April 2018 he was awarded the Degree of Fellow by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). The Degree of Fellow recognizes AAFP members who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues, as well as in their communities, by their service to family medicine, by their advancement of health care to the American people, and by their professional development through medical education and research.
Dr.Duggirala was honored to receive the 2021 Community Service Award from the Poolesville Area Chamber of Commerce for his work supporting and advocating for the residents of Poolesville, and particularly for his efforts in setting up and running a free COVID vaccine clinic that was open to all area residents. He also had the privilege of serving as co-Grand Marshal of the Poolesville Day Parade in 2022 (https://www.poolesvilleday.com/grand-marshal).
He received the American Academy of Family Physicians Boundary Breaker Award in 2021. This award is given to a family physician who empowers their patients, colleagues, and community to achieve optimal wellness and quality of life. He was nominated for this award for his advocacy work locally, state-wide, and nationally in educating physicians and increasing vaccine access during the COVID epidemic.
Interests:
Dr. Duggirala's interests include pediatrics, care of chronic diseases (such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol), and preventive medicine. His scope in family medicine includes minor surgery, sports medicine, and primary care gynecology. He does home visits (ie, house calls), based on need, for patients unable to come in to the office. Dr. Duggirala also does home hospice care for his long term patients who need end-of-life care.
Dr. Duggirala is currently the President-Elect (and executive Board Member), as well as, the chair of the governmental advocacy committee for the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians. In these roles he has advocated for improved public health and primary care for the citizens of Maryland, including testifying before legislative committees in Annapolis.
Dr. Duggirala has also served on state level workgroups and committees, including the Maryland Health Care Commission's Primary Care Investment Workgroup, The workgroup's scope of work is broad and encompasses analyzing primary care spending, developing plans to improve quality and access to primary care, identifying strategies to reduce barriers to primary care, and identifying approaches to increase the primary care workforce.
He serves on the Board of Directors for Poolesville Green. Poolesville Green is an independent, nonpartisan, educational 501(c)(3) organization whose work focuses on promoting alternative energy sources, encouraging the conservation of energy and water, and on raising awareness about existing hazardous and non-hazardous waste recycling programs.
In his spare time, Dr. Duggirala enjoys traveling, cycling, pickleball, and spending time with his wife and sons.
Medical Affiliations:
Dr.Duggirala is an active member of the following medical organizations:
American Academy of Family Physicians
Maryland Academy of Family Physicians
MedChi, Maryland State Medical Society
Montgomery County Medical Society
Dr.Duggirala is a member of the medical staff and has courtesy privileges at:
Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Rockville, MD
(Dr.Duggirala is not currently admitting or managing patients in the hospital to allow him more time to see patients in his office and do home visits)
Kate Kirksey, DO
Dr. Kate Kirksey grew up in Montgomery County and first found her love for medicine in the high school Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) cadet program through Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department. She also volunteered at Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. She completed her bachelor's at St. Mary's College of Maryland with a degree in Human Studies- a combination of biology, psychology and sociology.
She earned her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Florida. She completed an Emergency Medicine and Family Practice internship and a Family Practice residency in Philadelphia at Aria Health, part of the Jefferson University system.
She is board certified in Family Medicine and has been practicing in urgent care since 2013. She participated in a Wilderness Medicine Fellowship with time in Vietnam, the Navajo Nation, rural Appalachia and Guatemala. Dr. Kate is certified as a DOT Medical Examiner for Commercial Drivers.
Her interests include women's health, pediatrics, urgent care, integrative and preventative health. She does home visits (ie, house calls), based on need, for patients unable to come in to the office. Dr.Kate also does home hospice care for her long term patients who need end-of-life care.
Interests:
Since she was a child, Dr. Kirksey has enjoyed many activities in the outdoors. She grew up going to, then working at local summer camps, teaching rock climbing, kayaking, and sailing. She has recently moved back to the Poolesville area and has started a family farm in Dickerson. She is thrilled to be home and to be able to give back to her community.
Medical Affiliations:
Dr.Kate Kirksey is an active member of:
American Academy of Family Physicians
Maryland Academy of Family Physicians