About
David A. Chappell, MD has practiced medicine in Petaluma, California since 1998, first as a private endocrinologist and, since 2014, as a concierge primary care physician. His path to medicine began early. At age five, he traveled to India with his family on a medical mission. He placed a stethoscope around his neck during a skit and knew immediately that becoming a physician was his calling. "
Dr. Chappell earned his BA from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, then completed his MD at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas in 1979. He trained in internal medicine at Barnes Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis, earning board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in 1982. He then completed an endocrinology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco, earning his subspecialty board certification in 1985. The National Institutes of Health recognized his research with a National Research Service Award from 1985 to 1987 and a Clinical Investigator Award from 1987 to 1992. He went on to serve as Assistant and then Associate Professor at the University of Iowa College of Medicine through 1998. His clinical passions include diabetes, osteoporosis, hormone therapy, cardiovascular risk, obesity and body composition, brain health, nutrition, and mental wellness across all adult age groups.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
BA, Austin College, Sherman, TX, 1971-1975
Medical School
MD, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, 1975-1979
Residency
Residency, Internal Medicine, Barnes Hospital Washington University, St. Louis, 1979-1982
Fellowship
Endocrinology Fellowship, University of California, San Francisco, 1982-1985
Additional Training
National Research Service Award, National Institutes of Health, 1985-1987; Clinical Investigator Award, National Institutes of Health, 1987-1992; Assistant and Associate Professor, University of Iowa College of Medicine, through 1998
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Chappell right for?
Dr. Chappell is a strong fit for adults who want a physician with deep expertise in both internal medicine and endocrinology. Patients managing diabetes, osteoporosis, hormonal imbalances, or cardiovascular risk benefit from his subspecialty background. He also works well with adults focused on weight, body composition, brain health, and nutrition. Those who value direct physician access and unhurried visits will find his concierge model well suited to their needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Chappell focuses on diabetes, osteoporosis, hormone therapy, cardiovascular risk, obesity, brain health, nutrition, and mental wellness. His dual board certifications in internal medicine and endocrinology allow him to address complex hormonal and metabolic conditions alongside routine primary care. He sees adult patients across all age groups.
Yes. Dr. Chappell holds board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine, earned in 1982, and a subspecialty board certification in Endocrinology, earned in 1985. He completed his endocrinology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. Chappell earned his MD from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas in 1979. He completed his internal medicine residency at Barnes Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis, then finished his endocrinology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco in 1985.
Yes. The National Institutes of Health recognized Dr. Chappell's research with a National Research Service Award from 1985 to 1987 and a Clinical Investigator Award from 1987 to 1992. He then served as Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Iowa College of Medicine through 1998.
Dr. Chappell has practiced medicine in Petaluma since 1998. He spent his first sixteen years there as a private endocrinologist before opening his concierge practice in 2014.
Dr. Chappell treats the whole patient. He holds a core belief that body, mind, and spirit should never be separated in health and wellness. His clinical interests span metabolic health, hormones, brain health, nutrition, and preventive medicine, giving him a broad lens on each patient's overall wellbeing.
Yes. Dr. Chappell offers in-office DXA scanning for body fat composition analysis and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ultrasound testing for cardiovascular risk assessment. Basic CIMT testing is included in the annual membership fee, with comprehensive testing available at a reduced rate.
Yes. Members reach Dr. Chappell directly by cell phone for urgent matters after hours, on weekends, and on holidays. This direct access is a core part of his concierge model.
Doctor profile last updated March 21, 2026