Meet Dr. Divya Rayapati
UT Austin’s new gastroenterologist and hepatologist
Reviewed by: Divya Rayapati, M.D.
Written by: Lily Vining
For Divya Rayapati, M.D., returning to Austin is more than a professional milestone — it’s a chance to care for the community that shaped her.
I’m really excited to return home,” she says. “I grew up in Austin but left for medical training. Getting to serve the community where I was raised is incredibly meaningful.”
A gastroenterologist and hepatologist in UT Health Austin’s Gastroenterology Clinic, Dr. Rayapati brings nationally recognized training and a strong commitment to personalized, comprehensive care. Her work spans a wide range of digestive and liver conditions, including metabolic liver disorder, liver cancer and viral hepatitis.
She earned her undergraduate degrees in biology and anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis, followed by her medical degree at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine and fellowships in gastroenterology, hepatology and transplant hepatology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Leading in a rapidly evolving field
Dr. Rayapati is part of a field that’s constantly evolving. From new therapies for liver conditions to advances in colorectal cancer screening, ongoing research continues to open new doors for patients.
“In metabolic dysfunction–associated liver disease, for example, there are now approved therapies for a condition that didn’t have many medical options before,” she says. “It’s exciting to see how discoveries can quickly translate into better care.”
That kind of progress is central to the mission of The University of Texas Medical Center, a new, integrated academic health system anchored by Dell Medical School and designed to advance care through research, education, and multidisciplinary collaboration. As part of this growing ecosystem, Dr. Rayapati is helping connect innovation to patient impact. She’s actively involved in medical education, patient safety and quality improvement through her role as an assistant professor in the Dell Med School Department of Internal Medicine.
“Being at UT Health Austin means being part of a collaborative community — one that brings together specialists from all different areas to support patients,” she says. “It’s a great place to practice medicine and continue learning.”
More than medicine
According to Dr. Rayapati, one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is building long-term relationships with her patients.
“I love getting to build longitudinal relationships where we take small steps together over time and troubleshoot challenges as they come up,” she says. “It’s about being on a team with the patient.”
That collaborative spirit extends to her teaching as well. Whether working with medical students, residents or colleagues across disciplines, she emphasizes a care model that’s built on listening, trust and shared goals.
She’s also drawn to the culture of multidisciplinary care at UT Health Austin.
“There’s a sense of partnership here among the hepatologists, gastroenterologists, social workers, nutritionists and other specialties that helps create a consolidated care home for the patient,” she says.
And while the science continues to evolve, her goal stays the same: to help patients feel seen, supported and confident as they navigate their health.
For more information about the Gastroenterology Clinic at UT Health Austin or to schedule an appointment, call 1-833-UT-CARES (1-833-882-2737) or visit here.