About
Dr. Manisha Kalra earned her medical degree from Medical College and Hospital in Jabalpur, India in 1994. She moved to Iowa City in 1995 and completed the Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. During residency, her colleagues voted her Intern of the Year in her first year of training. She was later selected for the Family Medicine Resident Scholarship Program by Aventis Pharmaceuticals and served as Chief Resident in 2002.
Dr. Kalra holds board certification in Family Medicine and the Fellow designation from the American Academy of Family Physicians. She also earned a Master's degree in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Her clinical focus centers on preventive care and chronic disease management, particularly heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, with a strong emphasis on whole food, plant-based nutrition. She earned a culinary certification in plant-based cooking from Rouxbe Culinary School in 2017. The Consumers Research Council of America named her among America's Top Family Doctors in each year from 2006 through 2010, and she received the Compassionate Doctor Recognition award in 2011. Outside the office, she enjoys plant-based cooking, travel, and staying physically active.
Education & Training
Medical School
Medical College and Hospital, Jabalpur, India (MD, 1994)
Residency
Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program at Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines, Iowa
Additional Training
University of Iowa College of Medicine, Master's degree in Preventive Medicine and Public Health; Rouxbe Culinary School, culinary certification in plant-based cooking (2017)
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Kalra right for?
Dr. Kalra is a strong fit for adults managing chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Patients interested in using nutrition as a primary tool for disease reversal will find her approach well-matched to their goals. She also serves patients who need preventive screenings, including multi-cancer early detection testing. Adults seeking a physician with deep training in both family and preventive medicine will benefit from her dual expertise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Kalra focuses on preventive care and chronic disease management, particularly heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. She uses whole food, plant-based nutrition as a central part of her treatment approach. She has helped patients reverse high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes through nutritional medicine.
Yes. Dr. Kalra holds board certification in Family Medicine. She also carries the Fellow designation from the American Academy of Family Physicians, noted as FAAFP.
Dr. Kalra earned her MD from Medical College and Hospital in Jabalpur, India in 1994. She completed her residency through the Mayo Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, where she served as Chief Resident in 2002.
Yes. Dr. Kalra earned a Master's degree in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. She also completed a culinary certification in plant-based cooking from Rouxbe Culinary School in 2017, which directly informs her nutrition-based care.
Nutrition plays a central role in how Dr. Kalra treats and prevents disease. She emphasizes whole food, plant-based eating as a primary tool for managing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Her culinary training from Rouxbe Culinary School supports the practical guidance she gives patients.
Yes. The Consumers Research Council of America named Dr. Kalra among America's Top Family Doctors each year from 2006 through 2010. She also received the Compassionate Doctor Recognition award in 2011.
Yes. Dr. Kalra serves as a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. She performs immigration physicals for residents of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC at the Rockville office.
Doctor profile last updated March 21, 2026