Rukhsar (“Ruku”) Machiwalla, PA-C, is a board-certified Physician Assistant at Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists (PNS). She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. She then earned her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL.
After graduating, she spent several years working in critical care in the neonatal ICU. While she found this work immensely rewarding, Ruku has always had a deep interest in mental health. In her role at PNS, Ruku takes a compassionate inquiry approach, as she believes that healing requires a holistic understanding of the mind, body, and past experiences. She believes that medications are just one of many tools to help foster self-awareness and meaningful growth. Her faith and perspective as a woman of color strongly informs her practice and she hopes to support and empower patients as they navigate their own unique journeys.
Ruku’s clinical interests include depression, anxiety, and trauma disorders. She is particularly passionate about pediatric and women’s mental health.
Ruku lives in Long Beach with her husband and two Maine Coons! Outside of work, she loves spending quality time with her husband, reading, painting, learning to surf, and discovering new restaurants.
