Nidal Rahal, MD: A Quiet Force in Geriatric and Hospice Care

A Steady Hand in a Changing Field

In a time when healthcare is growing more complex, Dr. Nidal Rahal is staying focused on what matters: his patients. From private hospital rooms to long-term care units, he’s been quietly building a career defined by service, leadership, and long hours. Based in Germantown, Tennessee, Dr. Rahal now runs his own practice—Geriatrics and Palliative Care PLLC—but his story begins long before that.

“I’ve always believed in showing up where I’m most needed,” he says. “For me, that’s meant working with the elderly, with families, and with people facing end-of-life decisions.”

Early Training: From Damascus to Memphis

Dr. Rahal earned his medical degree from Damascus University, finishing in the top 10% of his class. He moved to the U.S. in the late 1990s, completing both a family medicine residency and a geriatrics fellowship at the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Those years shaped his path.

“I saw how fragmented care could be,” he recalls. “Especially for older patients. That’s where I felt I could make a difference.”

His early roles were hands-on and varied. From 2002 to 2008, Dr. Rahal worked in clinics across Arkansas and Tennessee, treating patients at small-town health centers, emergency rooms, and nursing homes. He also became a Medical Director at several facilities, including Legacy Hospice and Unity Hospice.

Building His Reputation in Hospice and Rehab

Between 2008 and 2023, Dr. Rahal served in multiple roles at Methodist Germantown Hospital. He worked in the emergency room, managed inpatient rehab, and directed care at multiple assisted living and memory care units. At the same time, he began mentoring younger doctors as an Assistant Professor at UT Memphis.

“I wanted to lead by doing. When you work in hospice or geriatrics, you can’t just talk from a distance.”

He also became the Medical Director at the Village of Germantown, overseeing skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care programs. He took responsibility for over ten facilities across Shelby County, TN and North Mississippi—a scope few in the field manage.

“I get to know the staff. I get to know the patients. Continuity makes a big difference.”

The Move to Private Practice

In October 2023, Dr. Rahal launched his own private practice: Geriatrics and Palliative Care PLLC. He admits it was a big step.

“It was time to do things with more freedom,” he says. “I wanted to shape the full cycle of care—from hospital to home.”

His practice is now a central hub for hospitalized patient follow-up, inpatient rehab, and palliative consults. He remains active at St. Francis Bartlett, where he’s part of the Medical Executive Committee and serves as an admitting rehab physician.

Despite the move, Dr. Rahal still works closely with Hope Hospice and Unity Hospice, continuing a leadership role that spans over a decade.

Leading Without Flash

What sets Dr. Rahal apart is his low-profile leadership style. He’s not the type to headline conferences or appear in national media. Instead, his influence is local but deep, felt by care teams and patients who rely on his guidance every day.

“You don’t need to be loud to lead,” he says. “You need to listen. And you need to be available.”

Whether he’s teaching at UT, coordinating rehab care, or meeting with families, he brings a calm presence.

“Families want clarity. They want someone who explains options simply. That’s where I spend a lot of time—listening, explaining, helping them decide what’s next.”

A Career Anchored in Geriatrics and End-of-Life Care

Dr. Rahal’s career has focused on the intersection of aging and serious illness. His experience in hospice, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation gives him a wide lens on care models that are often siloed.

“We’re dealing with complex needs. You can’t separate the medical from the emotional. Hospice isn’t just about dying—it’s about comfort and dignity.”

He continues to oversee care for hundreds of elderly patients each year and works closely with long-term care staff to improve care coordination.

Looking Ahead: Service and Sustainability

When asked about the future, Dr. Rahal doesn’t talk about expansion or branding. He talks about staying consistent.

“We’re not here to scale. We’re here to sustain,” he says. “If I can keep showing up every day for the people who need me, that’s success.”

Nidal Rahal healthcare system often defined by turnover and burnout, that kind of thinking stands out.

Drahal has built a steady, patient-focused career over two decades. From ER shifts to memory care units, he’s worked at every level of the system. Today, as a private practice owner and medical director, he remains deeply involved in the day-to-day work of caring for elderly and terminally ill patients.

He may not be a household name. But in Memphis and Germantown, his impact is unmistakable.

“This work humbles you,” Dr. Rahal says. “But it also grounds you. I’m here for the long run.”

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