Dr. Rao received his MBBS degree from St. John's Medical College in Bangalore, India. He completed his residency in physical medicine at Temple University Hospital.

Dr. Rao is Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. His areas of interest include assessment and treatment of balance impairments in stroke, brain injury rehabilitation, dysphagia evaluation and rehabilitation, electrodiagnosis for neuromuscular pain and conditions, orthotics and gait evaluation, and rehabilitation outcome predictors.

Dr. Rao was named a Top Doctor by Chicago Magazine in 1997 and 2001. He was awarded the Distinguished Clinician Award by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) in 2008.