Dr. Rachana Potru, M.D., is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist who cares for patients at the Gastroenterology Center of Northern Virginia (GC of NoVA), with offices in Arlington and Annandale. She completed a fellowship in gastroenterology and brings a focus on digestive health that includes colon cancer screening, inflammatory bowel disease, functional GI disorders, and women's health.
Overview
As a gastroenterologist with GC of NoVA, Dr. Potru evaluates and manages a wide range of digestive and liver conditions across the practice's two Northern Virginia locations. Her work centers on listening to each person's history and symptoms, explaining what the findings mean in plain language, and helping patients understand the options in front of them. Patients often see her for concerns ranging from routine colon cancer screening to ongoing care for chronic GI conditions.
Education and Training
Dr. Potru earned her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, where she completed her undergraduate and medical studies. She went on to complete her residency in internal medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.
She then completed a fellowship in gastroenterology at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York. Dr. Potru is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine.
Clinical Interests and Conditions Treated
Dr. Potru's clinical interests include colon cancer screening, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), functional GI disorders, and women's digestive health. In practice at GC of NoVA, she helps patients with conditions such as:
- Colorectal cancer screening and colonoscopy
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Functional GI disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Acid reflux and GERD
- Other digestive and liver concerns evaluated through the practice
For patients weighing when to begin screening, the American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk for colorectal cancer start screening at age 45, and a gastroenterologist can help determine the right approach for your situation.
Her Approach to Care
Dr. Potru takes a patient-centered approach, giving people time to describe what they are experiencing and walking through the reasoning behind each recommendation. She places particular emphasis on women's GI health, an area where symptoms are sometimes overlooked or attributed to other causes. The goal is straightforward: help each patient feel informed, comfortable asking questions, and confident in the next step of their care.
Where She Sees Patients
Dr. Potru sees patients at both GC of NoVA offices in Northern Virginia. The Arlington office is located at 1715 N George Mason Drive, Suite 403, adjacent to VHC Health, and can be reached at (703) 522-7476. The Annandale office is located at 3299 Woodburn Road, Suite 220, in the Woodburn Medical complex, and can be reached at (703) 560-6106. You can learn more about the practice and its two Northern Virginia locations on the GC of NoVA website.
Schedule a Visit
If you are looking for a gastroenterologist in Arlington or Annandale, the team at Gastroenterology Center of Northern Virginia is here to help. To request an appointment with Dr. Potru, call the Arlington office at (703) 522-7476 or the Annandale office at (703) 560-6106, or visit gcofnova.com to learn more about screening and digestive care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions does Dr. Rachana Potru treat?
Dr. Potru is a gastroenterologist who focuses on colon cancer screening, inflammatory bowel disease, functional GI disorders such as IBS, and women's digestive health, along with other digestive and liver conditions managed at GC of NoVA.
Where does Dr. Rachana Potru see patients?
Dr. Potru sees patients at the GC of NoVA offices in Arlington and Annandale, Virginia. You can reach the Arlington office at (703) 522-7476 and the Annandale office at (703) 560-6106.
