Kariappa Appachu, MD, FASN
Board Certified & Fellowship Trained Nephrologist
Medical School
Residency
Fellowship
Board Certification
Locations:
Biography
Dr. Kariappa Appachu’s educational background is extensive, beginning with an MD from Kasturba Medical College of Manipal at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education in 2007. After relocating to the United States, he completed an internal medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in 2012, followed by a nephrology fellowship at the University of Southern California in 2014. His commitment to continued learning is evidenced by his certifications in nephrology and internal medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine, his status as a fellow with the American Society of Nephrology (FASN), and his licensure as a doctor of medicine via the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
Dr. Appachu’s expertise lies in nephrology, a field he discovered during a mandatory rotation in medical school and has now practiced for over a decade. As a physician at the Southwest Kidney Institute, his daily responsibilities include patient consultations, managing approximately 80 dialysis patients, and performing dialysis at Casa Grande Hospital. Beyond direct patient care, he demonstrates his leadership and teaching capabilities. He has served as the chair of medicine at Banner Casa Grande Hospital since 2024, guiding the institution and ensuring healthcare access for the community. Furthermore, he contributes as teaching faculty at Dignity Health’s Chandler Region Medical Center since 2022 and as an assistant professor at Creighton University’s School of Medicine since 2023.
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Appachu has received significant recognition and considers his commitment to the Casa Grande community his greatest achievement. He was honored by Marquis Who’s Who Top Doctors for dedication, achievements, and leadership in health care and nephrology. His dedication to serving the diverse population of Casa Grande, including many veterans and individuals with low socioeconomic status, has been a deeply fulfilling aspect of his professional journey.