About
Dr. Jara McDonald is a double board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity medicine, bringing over seven years of clinical experience to her San Antonio practice. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, then earned her medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Her residency training in comprehensive family medicine took place at a rural program affiliated with the University of California, Davis in Redding, California. A strong interest in psychiatry drew her to multiple elective psychiatry rotations during residency, including pediatric psychiatry. That training positioned her to weave mental health care into everyday primary care with confidence.
Dr. McDonald founded Soldara Integrative Family Medicine to give patients the time and depth of care she believes good medicine requires. Her clinical passions include complex medical cases, diabetes, weight management, mental health, and treating whole families across every age. She draws on her own personal weight loss journey when helping patients navigate metabolic health. A working mom herself, she understands the demands on busy patients and collaborates at their pace. She grew up in Nevada, trained on the West Coast, and eventually settled in Texas Hill Country with her husband Keigan, their two young sons, and a rescue dog.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
Medical School
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Residency
Comprehensive Family Medicine, rural residency program affiliated with the University of California – Davis, Redding, California
Additional Training
Multiple elective psychiatry rotations during residency, including pediatric psychiatry
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. McDonald right for?
Dr. McDonald is a strong fit for adults and children of any age seeking whole-body primary care that integrates mental and physical health. Patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol benefit from her thorough, root-cause approach. She is particularly well-suited for patients struggling with weight management who want a personalized, evidence-based plan. Adults and children dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or addiction find her mind-body framework especially valuable. Busy parents and working adults appreciate her flexibility and empathetic style.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. McDonald treats a wide range of conditions across primary care and mental health. On the physical side, she manages diabetes, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, IBS, menopause, and reflux, among others. For mental health, she treats depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, addiction, and insomnia. She also handles birth control management and hormone replacement therapy.
Yes. Dr. McDonald holds dual board certifications in family medicine and obesity medicine. She trained in a rural comprehensive family medicine residency affiliated with the University of California, Davis in Redding, California. She also completed multiple elective psychiatry rotations during residency, including pediatric psychiatry.
Dr. McDonald takes a highly personalized approach to weight management. She reviews lab work, a diet log, personal and family weight history, previous efforts, lifestyle, and goals before building a plan. She draws on her own weight loss experience, and she integrates a mind-body perspective throughout the process. Her goal is a sustainable lifestyle change, not a short-term fix.
Dr. McDonald integrates mental health directly into primary care using a mind-body approach. She treats ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, addiction, and insomnia. She builds personalized treatment plans that may include lifestyle changes, therapy referrals, diagnostics, and medication when appropriate. She stays current with the latest mental health research and treatment options.
Yes. Dr. McDonald sees patients from birth through end of life. She treats children for well child checks, ADHD, pediatric mental health concerns, and general primary care. Her residency included pediatric psychiatry rotations, which strengthened her ability to care for younger patients with behavioral and mental health needs.
Dr. McDonald requests all past medical records at the start of care for complex cases. She reviews everything in detail to identify anything previously missed. She also serves as a patient advocate with specialists, hospitals, and insurance companies. For patients with shared diagnoses, she offers group educational appointments modeled after the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic.
Dr. McDonald earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and her medical degree from the University of Nevada School of Medicine. She then completed a comprehensive family medicine residency at a rural program affiliated with the University of California, Davis in Redding, California. During residency, she pursued multiple elective psychiatry rotations, including pediatric psychiatry.
Yes. Dr. McDonald offers hormone replacement therapy as part of her primary care services. She manages menopause and related hormonal concerns for adult patients. Her integrative approach considers the full clinical picture, including labs and personal health history, before recommending a treatment plan.
Doctor profile last updated June 11, 2026