About
Richard Donahue, MD, MPH, founded Personal Health MD in 2011 and serves as its Medical Director. He earned his MD from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed his Family Medicine residency at the Maine-Dartmouth Residency Program. He later earned an MPH in Health Policy from Harvard School of Public Health, where he also served as a visiting scientist.
Before launching the practice, Dr. Donahue spent a decade as Medical Director at Vinalhaven Island Medical Center in Maine. There, he developed the fastest pre-hospital advanced cardiac care for heart attacks in New England. He subsequently spent six years practicing clinically at Harvard University Health Services, teaching Harvard medical students as a Clinical Instructor in Medicine. Dr. Donahue holds board certification in Family Medicine and maintains affiliations with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Beth Israel Hospital. His clinical interests include functional medicine, brain inflammation and mental health, gluten sensitivity, and doctor-patient rapport. He believes the best care emerges when physicians take the time to understand each patient as a whole person.
Education & Training
Medical School
University of Massachusetts Medical School (MD)
Residency
Maine-Dartmouth Residency Program (Family Medicine)
Additional Training
Harvard School of Public Health (MPH, Health Policy); Visiting Scientist, Harvard School of Public Health
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Donahue right for?
Dr. Donahue suits patients who want a physician trained in both clinical medicine and health policy. Adults managing chronic conditions like fatigue, gut issues, or inflammation benefit from his functional medicine approach. He is a strong fit for patients with complex presentations that require investigating root causes. His background in mental health and brain inflammation makes him a good match for patients dealing with mood, focus, or cognitive concerns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Donahue earned his MD from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed his Family Medicine residency at the Maine-Dartmouth Residency Program. He later earned an MPH in Health Policy from Harvard School of Public Health, where he also served as a visiting scientist. He holds board certification in Family Medicine.
Yes, Dr. Donahue holds board certification in Family Medicine. He also brings additional training in health policy through his MPH from Harvard School of Public Health.
Dr. Donahue treats a broad range of primary care conditions, with particular focus on functional medicine, brain inflammation, mental health, gluten sensitivity, and chronic disease management. He also manages hypertension, thyroid disorders, metabolic concerns, and preventive health planning.
Dr. Donahue builds his care around understanding each patient as a whole person. He considers biochemistry, epigenetics, personal goals, and relationships when developing a treatment plan. He integrates functional and preventive medicine alongside conventional primary care.
Yes, Dr. Donahue holds affiliations with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Beth Israel Hospital. The practice refers into the Mass General Brigham and Beth Israel Lahey Health systems when specialist or hospital care is needed.
Dr. Donahue spent a decade as Medical Director at Vinalhaven Island Medical Center in Maine, where he developed the fastest pre-hospital advanced cardiac care for heart attacks in New England. He then spent six years at Harvard University Health Services, practicing clinically and teaching medical students as a Clinical Instructor in Medicine.
Yes, Dr. Donahue addresses mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, OCD, and ADHD. He has a particular clinical interest in brain inflammation and its relationship to mental health, which informs his integrative approach to these conditions.
Doctor profile last updated March 21, 2026