About Dr. Rachel Paul
Neurohospitalist at Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital
Dr. Rachel Paul is a board-certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist whose career has focused on hospital-based neurological care. She works as an attending physician in Virginia, where she evaluates and manages patients with urgent neurological concerns. Her experience includes neurohospitalist care, sleep medicine, stroke treatment, teaching, and locum tenens. Her professional path reflects careful clinical work, steady communication, and a practical commitment to supporting patients during serious medical situations.
Early Education
Dr. Rachel began her academic journey by completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a pre-medical concentration from August 2001 to December 2004. She later completed her medical degree from July 2006 to May 2010. These years helped prepare her for the demands of specialized medical training. Her education provided a foundation in science, patient care, medical reasoning, and the discipline needed for a future career in neurology.
Residency Training
Dr. Paul completed her neurology residency from June 2010 to June 2014. During this training, she gained experience in the evaluation and management of neurological conditions, as well as in teaching and academic presentations. She presented clinical cases, delivered instruction related to sleep behavior, and contributed to education on headache management. This period helped strengthen her clinical judgment, communication skills, and readiness for hospital-based neurological practice.
Fellowship Training
Dr. Rachel Paul pursued fellowship training in sleep medicine from July 2014 to June 2015. This additional training expanded her understanding of sleep disorders and their connection to neurological and medical conditions. She later co-authored a chapter about insomnia in patients with coexisting medical problems. Her sleep medicine background continues to support her patient care, especially when sleep concerns affect neurological symptoms, recovery, daily function, or care planning.
Board Certification
Dr. Rachel earned board certification in neurology in December 2014 and in sleep medicine in November 2017. These certifications reflect her formal preparation and recognized knowledge in both areas of practice. Her credentials support her work with patients who may have neurological disorders, sleep-related concerns, or overlapping medical needs. They also reflect her continued attention to professional standards within her areas of training.
Clinical Career
Dr. Paul began her post-training clinical work in Virginia, where she practiced in both neurology and sleep medicine from August 2015 to December 2016. She later continued in hospital-based neurohospitalist roles that required timely evaluation, treatment planning, and collaboration with care teams. Her current inpatient work involves direct patient care and support for acute neurological cases. Her clinical path shows adaptability, sound judgment, and steady service in hospital settings.
Locum Tenens Experience
Dr. Rachel M. Paul has gained extensive locum tenens experience beginning in January 2017. Through these assignments, she served in multiple hospitals across several states, including work involving stroke care and inpatient neurology. This type of practice required her to adapt to different systems while continuing to provide consistent care. Her locum tenens background reflects her ability to support medical teams, respond to urgent needs, and contribute in varied clinical environments.
Teaching and Professional Service
Dr. Rachel has contributed to medical education by teaching medical students and residents in clinical settings. Her work as an attending physician and educator allowed her to share practical knowledge while continuing her own patient care responsibilities. She has also maintained membership in professional organizations connected to neurology, sleep medicine, and chest medicine. Earlier in her career, she served as a volunteer coordinator for tissue and transplant education.
Clinical Focus and Personal Perspective
Dr. Rachel Paul focuses on acute neurological conditions, including stroke, seizures, migraines, encephalitis, and neuromuscular disorders. Her work may involve patient evaluation, imaging review, treatment coordination, and post-hospital care planning. Her father’s experience with Lewy Body Dementia shaped her understanding of patients and caregivers facing serious neurological illness. This perspective informs her approach to difficult conversations, end-of-life care, caregiver concerns, and decisions involving long-term neurological disease.
