PRATHER MEDICINE
Clarity and confidence for every chapter of aging
A geriatric specialty practice led by Dr. Christina Prather, former Director of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the George Washington University, dedicated to caring for older adults and the families who love them.
Based in Alexandria, VA, and serving the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Unhurried visits led by specialists in Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, guided by a nationally recognized physician leader in the field.
Expert
Time to listen, think carefully, and provide the depth of guidance that aging and complex health situations truly deserve.
Comprehensive
Care plans created in partnership with primary care and other specialists, translated into goals you and your whole family understand.
Inclusive
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Are you or your family facing:
Changes in memory, mood, or thinking that are hard to talk about
The wish to stay active, independent, and well for as long as possible
Health problems, medications, and treatments that feel too complicated for this stage of life
A recent hospitalization, fall, or change in function
Repeated hospital or emergency room visits you would like to avoid
Worsening of a longstanding health condition or a new serious diagnosis
Short, rushed appointments that leave your questions unanswered
Worry about a partner or parent, and not knowing what to do next
Prather Medicine is here to help.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE US
Time to Listen
Unhurried visits that leave room for the whole story.
Memory Expertise
Specialist evaluation and ongoing dementia care.
Family Partnership
Caregivers included, informed, and supported.
Care Where You Are
Flexible care including telehealth to meet you where you are.
Steady Support
Guidance through hospital stays and transitions.
Get StartedCustomized Care Tailored For Your Needs
Care begins with one introductory call. From there, we schedule an assessment and recommend the membership plan that fits the support you need.
Starting Care Together
Three simple steps, and you never have to figure out the next one on your own.
Schedule an Introductory Call
A short, no-pressure conversation to hear what is happening and see whether we are the right fit. Based on what you need, we’ll recommend the best initial assessment for you. If you’re worried about yourself or a loved one, this is the perfect place to start.
Get a Clear Plan
We schedule an unhurried assessment—focused on aging well, memory, palliative care needs, or care transitions—and make recommendations informed by what matters most to you and your health goals.
Ongoing Care, With Support
We recommend the membership plan that fits your needs, with ongoing care and direct access, so you are never facing the next change alone.
Patient ExperiencesIn Their Own Words
“She is the kindest, most caring doctor I have ever encountered, and I have encountered a lot taking care of my parents. No one even comes close. She has not only had such a positive impact on the health of my parents and our family, but on the quality of life for all of us. She was invaluable helping us navigate my dad’s dementia. And she did so with the kindness families struggling with dementia truly need. When my mom had unrelenting neck pain, and all doctors said she just had to live with it, we had given up. But Dr. Prather insisted on finding a solution. With her urging, we pursued surgery for my mom even with her advanced age and it gave my mom her life back. Without Dr. Prather, she never would have traveled abroad again with her grandkids at 90!””
“I never expected to hear the things she told me. I was surprised to see the range of what she can do and how she thinks outside the box. It’s changed my life and been a wonderful experience. It’s been so much more than I expected and one of those miracles you never imagined.””
“Your visit with my husband and I was a gift! Thank you ever so much for your kind and insightful assessment. Your suggestions for us are most helpful.””
Shared with permission. Individual experiences vary.
Common QuestionsQuestions Patients and Families Ask
If you don't see your question here, please email us at contact@prathermedicine.com. We are happy to help.
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Prather Medicine is a geriatric specialty practice led by Dr. Christina Prather, a nationally recognized expert in Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Medicine. Formerly the Director of the George Washington University Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Program, she is a sought-after clinician, educator, and public health advisor for aging, memory care, and advanced illness care for older adults. After over a decade leading the field in academic medicine, Dr. Prather started Prather Medicine to ensure older adults living in the community have access to specialty geriatric care that can be life-changing for individuals and their families.
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Prather Medicine is a direct-pay and membership-based practice. Patients pay the practice directly. Our services are not billed to Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, and they cannot be submitted to Medicare for reimbursement. This structure is what gives us time for unhurried visits, careful review of records and medications, family conversations, and support between visits. Your Medicare or insurance still applies to care you receive elsewhere, including primary care, hospital care, and tests. All fees are shared clearly before you make any commitment.
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The best first step is a short, complimentary introductory call. We will listen to what you are navigating, explain how the practice and its fees work, and help you decide whether an Initial Assessment is the right next step.
You can also reach us at contact@prathermedicine.com. We are scheduling introductory calls for December and will begin seeing new patients in January 2027.
Schedule a Complimentary Introductory Call
Before committing to any service, we invite you to schedule a brief introductory call. This is an opportunity to share what you're navigating, learn more about how Prather Medicine works, and determine together whether our practice is the right fit.
There is no obligation. The call is not a medical consultation—it is simply a conversation.
We'll listen to your situation and what you're hoping to find
We'll explain which service may be the best starting point
We'll answer any questions you have about how the practice works
We'll outline next steps if you'd like to move forward
Introductory calls are available for potential patients as well as individuals trying to navigate care for a loved one. Healthcare providers with referral questions should feel free to reach out to us directly at contact@prathermedicine.com.
Introductory Call
A no-obligation conversation to explore whether Prather Medicine is right for you.
15 minutes · No charge
Introductory calls are scheduled through our secure patient portal to protect your privacy. Please indicate your preference for a phone call or video visit in the Additional Notes section when scheduling. If you are reaching out on behalf of another person, sign up with their name and include your name in Additional Notes. If you have any problems, please email us at contact@prathermedicine.com
Introductory calls are not medical consultations and do not establish a patient-physician relationship. No medical advice is provided.
Resources
A Family Guide to Geriatric Care
What a geriatrician does, the 4Ms of age-friendly care, signs it may be time for an evaluation, how to prepare for your first visit, and what to bring to your initial assessment. Two printable pages to share with your family.
Practice Overview
PREFER TO READ ON PAPER?
A printable overview of Prather Medicine — our services, care model, and what to expect.
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