Dr. Dara Huang,
MD, MMSc
A physician who transforms personal experience into compassionate
care, combining traditional medicine with culinary wisdom and
innovative therapies.
About Dr. Huang
For Dr. Dara Huang, medicine isn’t just a profession—it’s a calling born from profound personal experiences. Having lost her mother to suicide as a teenager and her sister to colorectal cancer during her medical training, Dr. Huang intimately understands the journey of healing, grief, and resilience.
Today, she channels these experiences into compassionate care as a double Board Certified physician in Nephrology and Internal Medicine, pioneering medical cannabis physician, culinary medicine specialist, and co-founder of PerkyPet. Her practice is built on the belief that true healing embraces both cutting-edge medicine and the fundamental human needs for understanding, nutrition, and compassion.
“I feel the depth and tragedy of traumatic loss and grief, and I hope to ease others’ needless suffering through compassionate medical care..”

Personalized Care Pathways
Integrative Nephrology
Kidney Health Meets Whole-Person Care
Dr. Huang’s approach to kidney care goes beyond traditional treatment, integrating nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and emotional wellbeing. Her patients don’t just receive medical treatment—they gain a dedicated partner who understands their concerns and needs on a deeply personal level. Through personalized care plans, she helps patients maintain optimal kidney function and quality of life.
Medical Cannabis
Healing Through Nutrition & Complementary Therapy
Dr. Huang empowers patients through carefully managed medical cannabis therapy and personalized nutritional guidance. As NYC’s first medical cannabis physician, she has helped countless patients manage chronic pain, tolerate chemotherapy treatments, and reclaim their lives from conditions like PTSD. Her culinary medicine integrates chef training with evidence-based nutritional science
Healthcare Innovation Consulting
Bridging Medicine, Technology & Entrepreneurship
Dr. Huang shares her unique perspective through speaking engagements, mentorship, and strategic consulting for healthcare organizations. Her work with PerkyPet and other innovations reflects her commitment to transforming healthcare through technology while preserving human connection and compassion at the center of medical practice.

PerkyPet
Born from Compassion, Driven by Expertise
Dr. Huang’s entrepreneurial spirit and her passion for holistic family wellness led her to co-found PerkyPet as Chief Scientific Officer, where her medical expertise enhances the human-animal bond.
This innovative platform combines behavioral science with digital twin technology to help pet parents create personalized wellness journeys for their beloved companions. PerkyPet stands at the intersection of science and companionship, reflecting Dr. Huang’s belief that enhancing the pet-human relationship improves wellness for the entire family. “Healthy pet, Happy family!”

Words from Dr. Huang's Heart
“Many of my accomplishments were founded in response to transforming the personal pain of tragedy into survivorship, resilience, and meaning. I strive to work towards genuine solutions in addressing silent stigmas, particularly in mental health, physician burnout, and the growing disconnect in healthcare.”
Professional Recognition & Media Presence
Named among “22 Global Medical Professionals Practicing Food as Medicine” by Food Tank
2020 Healthcare Heroes honoree from NYC Health Business Leaders
Featured expert on The View, Crain’s New York Business, and NY1

First medical cannabis physician in New York State

Profile in Crain’s New York Business as a pioneering medical cannabis doctor

Double Board Certified in Nephrology and Internal Medicine
The Ripple Effect of Compassionate Care
“Dr. Huang is a caring, compassionate, and courageous doctor/colleague/friend with an impressive educational background and resume. Equally important, Dara is someone who has managed to turn personal tragedy into triumph. By attending to the needs of often overlooked patient populations in a unique way, she has shown to have the capacity to transcend the ‘hand she has been dealt’ by actively infusing something of herself into the world and thereby contributing to the greater whole. In my mind, Dr. Huang is ‘da bomb.’ She has been instrumental to several of my psychotherapy patients during the pandemic, especially those with marijuana use disorder. Under Dr. Huang’s care, my patient successfully transitioned into the NYS Medical Marijuana program and I’m proud to say, he no longer self-medicates with unregulated marijuana products.”
Dr. Julie Kolzet, PhD, Psychologist

“Dr. Dara transforms her early childhood loss to help others find their unique taste identity. She is a Physician educator specializing in Integrative Nephrology; Culinary & Cannabinoid Medicine.”
Adapted from Food Tank recognition
Patient Experiences & Reviews
“From my personal experience, it’s clear that Dr. Huang’s concern for her patients is genuine, and her level of knowledge is amazing. Our conversations are always educational. Over time Dr Huang’s guidance has proven how an integrative medical cannabis therapy program can be so helpful for those of us with applicable conditions. I highly recommend Dr. Huang for anyone who wants to explore the benefits of medical cannabis in a professional & educated manner.”
“Dr Huang is a caring, careful and skilled physician. I have been her pateint for over two years and she has paved the way for the best health I have has for a very long time. She treats the whole person not just a “disease’. I am grateful for the opppotunity to tell others of my experience with her cars.”
“Dr Huang is exceptionally caring, current on medical literature, and takes a very thorough and prudent treeatment approach.”
“Dr. Huang is amazing, she is very knowledgeable and takes the time to reeally help you understand what your care options are. From when i first called even her staff was super friendly and helpful, she explained everthing i would need to bring to my appointment in order for the doctor to complete my care registration. I would not hesitate to refer any friends of family members to Dr. Huang”
Your Journey to Wellness Begins Here!
Dr. Huang’s unique combination of medical expertise, personal understanding, and innovative approaches creates a healing experience unlike any other. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, seeking alternative therapies, or looking to transform your relationship with food and health, Dr. Huang offers a pathway forward with compassion and cutting-edge care.

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© 2025 Dr. Dara Huang, MD Medical PLLC