Originally from India, Dr. Alwyn Rapose now enjoys practicing medicine in Massachusetts. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester and liked the experience so much that he stayed on board for another year as Chief Resident. He then completed his Infectious Disease fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

Dr. Rapose felt that Reliant Medical Group was a good fit and a great place to start his career as an Infectious Disease specialist. “I had worked with Reliant Medical Group physicians when I was a resident. That is the reason I came back to this area – I knew I would be working with people that I really respect and could learn from,” he explains.

Dr. Rapose originally studied engineering in college, but began to feel strongly that becoming a doctor is what he was destined for. “God wanted me to become a doctor. I think He put that desire in my heart, and then helped me to make that choice. It’s been a great experience.”

Infectious Disease is a specialty that Dr. Rapose is familiar with, it’s the closest field to what he had been trained for in India. “Infectious Disease is a sub-specialty of medicine, but you feel like an internist at the same time. In this field you have to think like a specialist and an internist. You have to be a good, all-around physician. That’s why I enjoy it so much.”

Dr. Rapose tries to reassure his patients and give them faith that they will recover. He believes that it’s important to treat not only peoples’ illnesses, but their mental and spiritual health as well. “I am willing to share my Raposeal experiences if it helps people achieve a positive attitude. When they are suffering, I think a positive attitude helps them recover faster.”

One of the biggest challenges that Infectious Disease physicians face today are the “super-bacteria” that are highly resistant to many of the medications available. “Fortunately, we are developing new antibiotics and new ways of treating these patients. These organisms are difficult to treat, but we are taking up the challenge and beating them.” Patients that Dr. Rapose treats include those with HIV infection, as well as severe pneumonia cases and meningitis. He often deals with illnesses related to extended hospital stays, organ transplants or infections following surgery.

In his spare time, Dr. Rapose loves to get out and meet people and spend time with family and friends. He also plays the guitar and is part of his church’s music choir. Dr. Rapose enjoys traveling and has visited many places during his time in the United States, including Puerto Rico, Texas and California.