Chris Pagnani, MD

Chris Pagnani, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Founder and Medical Director of Fine Tune Psychiatry, Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, and Co-Founder of RiseNow Autism Innovations. With two decades of clinical, academic, and leadership experience, he provides comprehensive psychiatric care while contributing to education, research, and community mental health initiatives.

Specialties & Focus Areas

• Anxiety and depression
• Bipolar disorder
• ADHD
• Substance use disorders
• Complex psychiatric case consultation and second opinions
• Adult psychiatry

Who They Help

Dr. Pagnani treats adults with a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including individuals seeking diagnostic clarity, medication management, or second opinions for complex cases.

Treatment Approach

Dr. Pagnani provides evidence-based psychiatric care with a focus on accurate diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, and long-term outcomes. His approach emphasizes clinical precision, thoughtful medication management, and collaboration with patients and other providers when appropriate. He takes into account not only whether the patient has an illness to treat with medication management, but their life story, any history of trauma, behaviors that are complicating the picture, and the patient’s personality and temperament.

Professional Background

Dr. Pagnani graduated from Vanderbilt University and earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, where he received the Bodine Research Award. He completed his residency in Psychiatry at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was named Chief Resident.

Since 2012, he has served as an Instructor of Psychiatry at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and as a Supervisor of Psychiatric Residents at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. His work includes academic teaching, clinical supervision, and contributions to research and training.

He is also an elected board member of Uplift: The Center for Grieving Children, supporting free access to grief services for children and families.

Certifications & Affiliations

• Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology since 2012.
• Licensed Physician in PA, NJ, NY, MD, DE, FL, CA, and USVI
• Instructor, The Johns Hopkins Hospital (2012–present)
• Psychiatry Resident Supervisor, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (2012–present)
• Board Member, Uplift: The Center for Grieving Children

Awards:

• “Top Doctor,” Philadelphia Magazine (2026)
• “Top Doc,” Suburban Life Magazine (2021–2025)
• “Top Doc,” Main Line Today Magazine (2024–2025)
• WebMD Patient’s Choice Award (2024–2025)
• WebMD Preferred Provider (2024–2026)
• ThreeBestRated “Top 3 Psychiatrists” (2022–2026)
• Business Rate “Best of 2025” (Philadelphia Psychiatrists)

Locations & Availability

Dr. Pagnani maintains a private practice at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates. He serves an administrative role only at Fine Tune Psychiatry, with his main offices being the Philadelphia and Paoli, PA locations. He supports clinical operations, provider development, and practice telehealth and in-office expansion across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and neighboring states. Dr. Pagnani is licensed in PA, NJ, NY, MD, DE, FL, CA, and the US Virgin Islands.

Post-residency Appointments & Academic Achievements

• Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. 2012 to present.
• Licensed Physician and Surgeon in PA, NJ, NY, MD, DE, FL, CA and USVI.
• Awarded “Top Doctor” by Philadelphia Magazine: 2026.
• Awarded “Top Doc” by Suburban Life Magazine of Philadelphia: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Awarded “Top Doc” by Main Line Today Magazine: 2024, 2025
• Awarded Patient’s Choice” for Philadelphia Psychiatrists by WebMD. This award is limited to 3 Providers per specialty per city: 2024, 2025
• Named a “WebMD Preferred Provider” which recognizes providers committed to transparency, responsiveness and great service to their patients: 2024, 2025
• Awarded one of “Three Best Psychiatrists” in Philadelphia by ThreeBestRated: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Awarded Best of 2025 for Philadelphia Psychiatrists by Business Rate, based on patient satisfaction as evidenced by online reviews.
• Appointed Instructor at The Johns Hopkins Hospital School of Medicine: 2012 to present.
• Supervisor at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for the Department of Psychiatry: 2012 to present.
• Young Professionals Board of Uplift: The Center for Grieving Children. 2019-2022.
• Elected to the Board of Directors for Uplift: The Center for Grieving Children. 2024- Present
• Founder and Medical Director of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates
• Co-Founder of RiseNow Autism Innovations
• Founder and Medical Director of Fine Tune Psychiatry PC