Keyonna Silva, DO, is board certified by both the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore and her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Silva completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in Altoona, PA.

Dr. Silva has had an interest in medicine since she was a young child. “At the age of around 7, I put a stethoscope on my aunt’s pregnant belly to listen to the movements of the little person that would be my cousin. I’ve found the human body fascinating ever since.”

Dr. Silva chose Osteopathic Medicine over traditional medical training because it looks at the whole person and takes a very hands-on approach to assessing and understanding a patient’s health. “I learn by touch and feel, so the entire philosophy of osteopathic medicine resonated with me. I also liked that it focuses on maintaining health and preventing disease rather than waiting for the person to become ill and then treating the illness.”

When choosing her specialty, Dr. Silva toyed with obstetrics but ultimately decided to specialize in family medicine in order to work with a wide variety of patients and conditions. “With family medicine I was able to see such a variety of patients, from pediatrics to geriatrics and everything in between. I like the idea of being able to do a little bit of everything and building a relationship with the patient throughout their life”.

Both native Marylanders, Dr. Silva and her husband decided to move back to the area after their respective medical training to be close to family. “We grew up in the Annapolis area and both our families still live in Anne Arundel, so we really wanted to come here to start our careers.” Her husband is a chiropractor who practices in Montgomery County. “After 4 years in New Jersey and 3 in Pennsylvania, it feels good to be home.”

Dr. Silva sees patients of all ages and has a particular interest in the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

From the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: “Osteopathic medicine provides all of the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment through a system of therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping.