About
Dr. Patrick O'Connell is a board-certified internal medicine physician and the founder of Sentinel Primary Care in Raleigh. He grew up in a small North Carolina town and spent his childhood hiking, swimming, and earning his way through Boy Scouts. He earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University in 1994. He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine in 2000.
He completed his residency in primary care internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where his colleagues named him Intern of the Year after his first year. He then served as Chief Resident and spent two years as clinical faculty at a small residency program north of Baltimore. A clinical rotation with a family physician early in his training drew him to primary care. He returned to the Triangle in 2006 and spent 14 years at Duke Health before founding Sentinel in 2017. His clinical interests span preventive medicine, chronic disease management, nutrition, vaccines, and infectious disease. He hosts a monthly segment called DrOnCall on Divine Mercy Radio, AM 540 in Raleigh, covering topics from nutrition to organ donation. Outside the clinic, he teaches high school faith formation at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh and enjoys mountain biking. He and his wife have four children.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Brown University, BA, 1994
Medical School
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 2000
Residency
Primary Care Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 2003
Additional Training
Chief Resident, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 2003-2004; Clinical Faculty at residency training program north of Baltimore (approximately 2 years)
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. O'Connell right for?
Dr. O'Connell is a strong fit for adults who want a primary care physician who knows them well over time. Patients managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, COPD, or osteoporosis benefit from his focus on evidence-based, individualized care. He also serves adults seeking proactive preventive care and those who value direct access to their doctor by phone, text, or video. Patients without insurance will find a physician who actively reserves spots for them at reduced fees.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. O'Connell treats a broad range of adult conditions. His chronic disease work includes diabetes, hypertension, asthma, COPD, chronic kidney disease, arthritis, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, BPH, and migraine prevention. He also manages acute concerns like influenza, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Yes. Dr. O'Connell holds board certification in internal medicine. He completed his residency training at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center on the primary care internal medicine track and served as Chief Resident before entering practice.
Dr. O'Connell earned his medical degree at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine in 2000. He completed his internship and residency at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where he was named Intern of the Year. He then served as Chief Resident and taught as clinical faculty at a residency program north of Baltimore.
Dr. O'Connell has practiced internal medicine for more than two decades. He spent 14 years at Duke Health before founding Sentinel Primary Care in 2017. He has cared for patients in the Raleigh and Durham area throughout his career.
Dr. O'Connell focuses on catching problems early and building individualized care plans grounded in evidence. He gives weight to nutrition, vaccination, and lifestyle factors alongside standard screenings. He believes prevention requires a real relationship between doctor and patient, not just periodic checkups.
Yes. Sentinel members can contact Dr. O'Connell by phone, text, or email. He typically responds within 24 hours. This direct access is included in the membership fee at no extra charge.
Dr. O'Connell brings his personal values into practice through Sentinel's faith-based mission. The practice reserves patient spots for uninsured individuals, providing care at minimal fees. He also hosts a monthly medical segment on Raleigh's Catholic radio station, AM 540, Divine Mercy Radio.
Dr. O'Connell does not manage long-term opioid therapy or complex psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. He does not provide birth control or sterilization referrals, and he prescribes testosterone replacement only for clearly defined medical deficiency.
Doctor profile last updated March 23, 2026