Bert Holmes, M.D.

Meet Dr. Holmes

As a board-certified internist, Dr. Bert Holmes combines compassion, curiosity, and connection in his approach to patient care. Growing up in Virginia Beach with a father who was a urologist, medicine was always part of his world, but it was not until high school that he realized it was truly his calling.

“I grew up in a home where my father was a physician, so I had some exposure,” he recalls. “But that decision became clear after volunteering at a hospital in high school. I saw how physicians could impact patients’ lives, and I knew that was what I wanted to do.”

That early exposure to both science and service shaped a lifelong commitment to understanding people and helping them achieve better health. During his medical training, Dr. Holmes explored many specialties but found himself drawn to primary care for one simple reason: relationships.

“In primary care, you get to see patients over time,” he says. “You help them through challenges, celebrate progress, and really get to know who they are. That ongoing connection is what makes it meaningful.”

Dr. Holmes believes the best medicine begins with listening. He takes time to understand each patient’s history, lifestyle, and goals before creating a personalized plan.

“I try to approach every patient the way I would want someone to treat me or a family member,” he explains. “It is a partnership, not just me telling you what to do, but having conversations, giving you autonomy, and helping you make informed decisions.”

He earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College, where he also completed his internal medicine residency. Prevention and long-term wellness are central to his philosophy. He is especially passionate about managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, and about the growing role of technology in early detection and prevention.

“I am interested in how technology can support primary care,” he explains. “Anything that helps us identify risks earlier or guide patients more effectively is worth exploring.”

His decision to join PartnerMD stems from his desire to provide the kind of care that traditional primary care models often make difficult.

“The traditional model does not allow the time you need with patients,” he says. “PartnerMD gives me that opportunity to spend time, answer questions, and make sure people leave feeling confident about their care.”

Dr. Holmes is known for his balanced approach, grounded in evidence-based medicine and open to supportive, integrative options when appropriate. “When I can help someone get back on track, lower their risks, and feel better, that is what is most rewarding,” he says.