About
Dr. Kulnarin Gay Purcell is a board-certified internal medicine physician with over 20 years of practice in the Greater Kansas City and Eastern Jackson County areas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology and her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine in 1994 and 1996 respectively. She completed her internship and internal medicine residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, finishing as Chief Resident in 2000. During her residency, she earned both the Sirridge Award for Outstanding Clinical Performance and the George Hedgepeth Award for Outstanding Resident.
Dr. Purcell holds dual board certifications as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. She focuses clinically on preventive medicine, nutrition, women's health, sports medicine, and chronic illness management including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. As an active runner and athlete, she brings personal investment to her sports medicine and wellness work. She speaks English and Thai. Since 2014, she has served as an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the UMKC School of Medicine. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run of Greater Kansas City and for MOCSA. com has recognized her with multiple Compassionate Doctor and Patient's Choice awards, and KC Pitch Magazine nominated her for Best Physician in Kansas City in 2021 and 2022.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
University of Missouri-Kansas City, Bachelor of Arts, Biology, 1994
Medical School
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Doctorate of Medicine, 1996
Residency
Internal Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1997-1999; Chief Resident 1999-2000
Additional Training
Internship, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1996-1997
Certifications
Languages
English, Thai
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Purcell right for?
Dr. Purcell is a strong fit for adults who want a physician deeply invested in prevention and long-term wellness. Patients managing diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease benefit from her focused chronic illness planning. Women seeking a knowledgeable primary care physician with a dedicated women's health focus will find her approach practical and thorough. Active patients and athletes appreciate her background in sports medicine and nutrition. Anyone who values direct, after-hours access to their own physician will find her practice structure well-suited to their needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Purcell specializes in internal medicine with a clinical focus on preventive care, women's health, sports medicine, nutrition, and chronic disease management. She has particular experience managing diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Her dual board certifications in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine reflect her interest in both treating illness and building long-term health.
Yes. Dr. Purcell holds board certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and as a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and served as Chief Resident in 1999-2000.
Dr. Purcell completed her medical education entirely at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1994, her Doctorate of Medicine in 1996, and finished her internal medicine residency there in 1999. She served as Chief Resident from 1999 to 2000 and received multiple awards for clinical performance during her training.
Yes. Dr. Purcell actively works with patients managing diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. She builds individualized management plans for each patient. Her lifestyle medicine certification supports a whole-person approach to chronic illness that goes beyond medication management.
Dr. Purcell speaks both English and Thai. Patients who prefer to communicate in Thai will find her practice a comfortable fit.
Dr. Purcell has practiced in the Greater Kansas City and Eastern Jackson County areas for over 20 years. That tenure has allowed her to build strong relationships with local specialists and a deep familiarity with the health needs of her community.
Yes. Dr. Purcell has served as an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the UMKC School of Medicine since 2014. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run of Greater Kansas City and for MOCSA, the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. She previously served on the Missouri Women's Health Council from 2017 to 2019.
Dr. Purcell has earned recognition from multiple sources over her career. com has honored her with the Compassionate Doctor Recognition, Patient's Choice Award, and On Time Doctor Award across multiple years. KC Pitch Magazine nominated her for Best Physician in Kansas City in 2021 and 2022. Earlier in her career, she received the HCA Frist Humanitarian of the Year Award at Centerpoint Medical Center in 2014.
Dr. Purcell sees her patients directly. Members do not meet with a nurse practitioner or physician assistant at appointments. That direct access extends beyond office hours, since Dr. Purcell remains reachable by phone after hours and on weekends.
Doctor profile last updated March 22, 2026