UH Physician Is Building Teams, Shaping the Future of Medicine
September 23, 2026
UH Clinical Update | September 2026
Kevin Okapal, MDFor Kevin Okapal, MD, part of medicine’s enduring appeal is working directly with patients over many years and alongside colleagues.
Growing up in Sylvania, Ohio, near Toledo, he excelled on the soccer field, eventually earning recruitment to St. Bonaventure University. A knee injury in junior high school helped spark his interest in medicine.
"I was always interested in math and science, and sports," Dr. Okapal said. "Then I had a knee injury, and two of the parents of my teammates were doctors. One was a radiologist who ended up reading my MRI, and another was an orthopedic surgeon who provided a consult. That kind of spurred my interest."
The experience offered an early glimpse of the impact physicians can have and reinforced his interest in science and problem-solving. It also led him to discover St. Bonaventure’s dual-admission program with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, giving him a clear path toward a medical career.
Although he entered medical school with an open mind, his third-year clinical experiences drew him to internal medicine.
"I liked the breadth of taking care of multiple organ systems and different pathologies at the same time," he said. "I also liked the continuity of getting to know patients and having a chance to take care of them over time."
Today, that continuity remains one of the most rewarding parts of his work. An internal medicine physician practicing primary care at UH Independence for the past eight years, Dr. Okapal has built lasting relationships with patients and their families.
"A lot of people who I met in my first year are still my patients," he said. "I have a growing relationship with them and their families."
His role also extends beyond the outpatient setting. He rounds at UH Parma Medical Center, caring for hospitalized patients from his practice, helping create a smoother transition between outpatient and inpatient care.
“In an environment where everything is new and unfamiliar, it can be nice for them to see their own doctor or one of the partners in the practice,” he said.
That same focus on relationships and continuity informs his work as Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at UH Parma Medical Center, a role for which he has earned widespread recognition.
Dr. Okapal was recently honored through a Cliff Appreciates “Dinner with the Doc” program, a nomination recognizing his commitment to professionalism, educational excellence and the development of trainees. The nomination highlighted his strengthening resident recruitment, fostering a rigorous yet supportive learning environment and providing individualized mentorship while promoting wellness, teamwork and inclusion.
His passion for graduate medical education stems in part from the team mentality he developed through sports.
“Being accustomed to large team sports, I always envisioned being a part of team-based learning at the hospital that translated well to working with residents and students,” he said.
After completing his residency training at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center under the leadership of Keith Armitage, MD, Robert A. Salata, MD, Chair in Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals, whom he considers a role model, Dr. Okapal joined the residency program’s core faculty before becoming program director.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the position, he said, is watching young physicians grow.
“I have met some of our current residents during medical school rotations, and others during the interview process. It is great to get to know them and see how far they grow during their three-year internal medicine residency.”
He takes particular pride in helping residents navigate the challenges of training and seeing where their careers lead. Many pursue subspecialty fellowships, while others become hospitalists or primary care physicians. Some remain with University Hospitals and continue serving the local community.
“It is rewarding to see them staying local and taking care of the surrounding community where they did their training,” he said.
Whether caring for patients, mentoring residents or leading a training program, Dr. Okapal’s approach is rooted in the same values: teamwork, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
For the patients he serves and the physicians he helps develop, those values leave a lasting impact.
Congratulations to Dr. Okapal on his “Dinner with the Doc” honor.