About
Ross Pirkle, MD, MS, holds board certification in internal medicine and has practiced in the Walnut Creek area for two decades. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley and his medical degree at the University of California, San Francisco. His clinical focus includes wellness optimization, medical weight loss, arthritis management, sports medicine, and genetic screening.
Dr. Pirkle served two terms as chief of medicine at John Muir Medical Center and remains a recognized leader there. He maintains active relationships with professors of medicine at UCSF, Stanford, and the Mayo Clinic. He embraces a broad view of treatment, incorporating acupuncture, behavioral health, bodywork, and chiropractic care alongside traditional medicine. He also performs joint injection therapy for arthritis and sports injuries. Patients describe him as exacting, accurate, kind, and current, and many call him the doctors' doctor.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
University of California, Berkeley
Medical School
University of California, San Francisco
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Pirkle right for?
Dr. Pirkle is a strong fit for adults seeking a clinician with deep diagnostic experience across a broad range of conditions. Patients managing arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular risk, obesity, or sleep apnea benefit from his thorough, evidence-based approach. He works well with patients who want integrative options alongside traditional medicine. Athletes and active adults seeking sports medicine care or joint injections also find him well-suited to their needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Pirkle treats a wide range of conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, lung disease, kidney disease, digestive disorders, migraines, neurological disorders, skin disorders, obesity, sleep apnea, and gout.
Yes. Dr. Pirkle incorporates acupuncture, behavioral health, bodywork, and chiropractic care alongside traditional medicine. He tailors treatment approaches to individual patients based on their health goals and clinical picture.
Yes. Dr. Pirkle holds board certification in internal medicine. He earned his degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. Pirkle served two terms as chief of medicine at John Muir Medical Center. He has practiced medicine in the Walnut Creek area and at John Muir Hospital for more than two decades. He continues to hold a leadership role in the medical community there.
Yes. Dr. Pirkle provides joint injection therapy for patients dealing with arthritis and sports injuries. This service is available to Cornerstone members as part of the practice's broader musculoskeletal care.
Dr. Pirkle takes a medical approach to weight loss, drawing on his extensive experience with FDA-approved weight loss medications. He discusses risks, benefits, and the science behind each option with patients and develops individualized plans.
Yes. Genetic screening is one of Dr. Pirkle's clinical interests. He uses this tool to identify genetic mutations that may increase a patient's risk for treatable medical conditions, supporting early and proactive care.
Doctor profile last updated June 11, 2026