Alka M. Kanaya

MD

Internist
South Asian health researcher and yoga aficionado

Dr. Alka Kanaya is a specialist in internal medicine who provides primary care.

Kanaya's research focuses on the causes and prevention of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and she has developed a three-pronged research program to investigate them. The first arm uses existing studies to test new biomarkers (measurable substances in the body) that predict diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while the second arm studies these risk factors in South Asian patients, who have a higher disease prevalence compared with other ethnic groups. The final arm studies behavioral interventions – such as restorative yoga classes – to determine whether they prevent the onset of diabetes in high-risk groups.

Kanaya earned her medical degree from UCSF, where she completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in epidemiology and internal medicine.

  • Education

    UCSF, 1995

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Internal Medicine, 1998

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Epidemiology and General Internal Medicine, 2001

  • Board Certifications

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • Academic Title

    Professor

  • Languages

    Hindi

    Sindhi

    Spanish

I am grateful to my patients and peers at UCSF, who give my life purpose and meaning.

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    75 Ratings
    About our process
    May 11, 2023
    Dr Alka Kanaya is wonderful.
    May 11, 2023
    Dr.Kanaya Is the best doctor I have ever had!
    Apr 06, 2023
    First visit with. Dr Kanaya. She is very knowledgeable and addressed all my concerns. I will be very happy with her as my new primary care doctor.
    Mar 16, 2023
    good experience
    Mar 03, 2023
    Dr Kanaya is the best!
    Mar 02, 2023
    Very satisfied
    Jan 16, 2023
    Dr. Kanaya is an excellent knowledgeable caring physician
    Dec 15, 2022
    Provuder very professiobal
    Dec 08, 2022
    Dr Alka Kanaya is the best!
    Nov 05, 2022
    Dr Kanaya is an EXCELLENT doctor
    Oct 13, 2022
    Dr. Kanaya is the best internist I've had at UCSF
    Sep 10, 2022
    Dr. Kanaya is one of the best internists. She is thorough in answering all my health issues and I am always satisfied with her recommended treatments. On top of it all she has the best bedside manners in her interactions with patients.
    Mar 26, 2022
    Dr. Kanaya is a superb internist and shows the utmost concern for my medical issues. I am very pleased to be her patient.
    Mar 03, 2022
    What great care!
    Feb 10, 2022
    Dr Alka Kanaya was just wonderful. I feel a sense of relief that she is my doctor.

    Selected research

    Decorative Caduceus

    Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America

    Recruiting

    My work

    Why Do South Asians Have Such High Rates of Heart Disease?

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