Forty Under 40: Joshua D. Rankin

Joshua Rankin enjoys taking care of people through the years.  

“That’s why I went into primary care, so I could develop long-term relationships with my patients,” he said. “That really motivates me to get in here [to the office] every day.”

His father is also a family physician in Rankin’s hometown of Hamburg, where, being one of only a few physicians in the small town, he had to master a range of specialties.  

“I saw what he did and decided that’s what I wanted to do,” he said. “He’s my biggest influence in all aspects of his life, but particularly in medicine.

“He taught me some things I didn’t learn in med school,” he said.

Rankin graduated with a degree in chemistry from Hendrix University in 2000 and from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2004.

He completed his residency at the UAMS Family Medical Center in Fayetteville, where he met his wife.

A scholarship contract required that Rankin practice medicine four years in Hamburg, and afterward the couple decided to move back to Northwest Arkansas because “we really love the area.”

Outside of work, Rankin enjoys training for and competing in triathlons.

Last year, he completed his first, full Ironman competition in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

That accomplishment is one of his proudest, behind raising his family and finishing medical school.

“Whenever I’m not working or spending time with my family, I’m usually swimming, biking or running,” he said.