Please tell us which program you chose for your Physician Assistant studies. Why did this program make the top of your list?
I attended Duke University’s Physician Assistant program. Although Duke had not initially been my first choice, during my interview there, I was so impressed by the warmth of the faculty and by their substantive answers to my questions that they moved to the top of my list. Their program’s academic depth and structure – the first-ever of its kind – have consistently maintained a reputation of unrivaled excellence. Duke’s clinical sites provide opportunities to learn from some of the top clinicians in their specialties, and I would be remiss not to mention their anatomy lab, where we got to do full cadaver dissections with our anatomy professor extraordinaire. I had a wonderful experience at Duke and would make the same choice again.
Tell us more about how you came to choose the field of medicine. What about becominga PA was attractive?
My introduction to medicine began with working as a translator in a small village clinic in the mountains of Central America. I knew from that initial experience that I wanted to eventually pursue a career in healthcare. My introduction to the PA profession occurred when I took my 3-year-old daughter, who had gashed her foot on a piece of glass, to a local emergency department. After an initial evaluation by a physician, a wonderful PA took time to care for her and to meticulously suture the laceration. When she finished, I thought, “THAT is exactly what I want to be doing.” Thank you, PA Patel.
A while later, I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks with a friend who was working as a PA in West Africa. I witnessed firsthand the impact he and his colleagues were making in a medically underserved region, and my decision to become a PA was cemented. As I continued to learn about the profession it became clear it was the perfect match for my goals. I hope to eventually serve again in a developing country, and the lateral mobility afforded in this field will allow me the versatility to work across multiple specialties to meet the needs of patients in various settings.
How did you choose Emergency Medicine as your specialty?
Prior to PA school, I trained as a paramedic and was introduced to EM in the prehospital setting. I enjoyed the challenge of seeing a wide array of conditions, from life-threatening traumas to acute medical conditions. I love that emergency medicine allows you to see patients on their worst day and potentially turn that into their best recovery experience. Each day brings something different and requires quick thinking and adaptability, which I find incredibly rewarding.
What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day practice?
One of the most satisfying parts of day-to-day medicine is seeing patients who experience improvement in quality of life as they receive appropriate care. I love finding opportunities to connect with patients and to learn their stories. I also enjoy my interactions with other clinicians and learning from their knowledge and expertise.
What led you to practice with MEMA?
I first heard of MEMA through an email from a faculty member sharing an opportunity. The first thing that caught my eye was their commitment to providing education and support for new clinicians through their post-graduate program. The prospect of a structured environment where new PAs can thrive under mentorship was a significant draw, and the clinicians I have met are an outstanding group of people.
Has there been one patient, staff member, or caregiver story that has stuck with you?
One of the most impactful cases I saw was a patient in West Africa who arrived at the hospital with a badly fractured femur. In the region where he lived, the implications of his injury and the prospect of becoming a lifelong invalid were massive – he would be unable to continue work as a farmer, unable to provide for his family, and would live with the stigma of being a burden to his family and village. We were able to provide him with state-of-the-art care, and within days after placement of a femoral SIGN nail, he was weight-bearing and absolutely exuberant over the prospect of regaining full mobility. It is experiences like these that more than repay the demands of providing long hours of care in challenging environments.
What are some of the biggest challenges of your practice, for a clinician practicing in the emergency department?
One of the primary challenges I have encountered is managing patients who repeatedly visit the ER due to lack of follow-up care and resources. This cycle highlights the limitations of a complex healthcare system which can make it difficult to provide long-term solutions in an acute care setting. I am very interested in finding solutions to providing sustainable, holistic care to populations that lack the resources they need for achieving optimal outcomes.
Are you a member of any associations, societies, or organizations?
I am a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (SEMPA).
Have you received any awards or been recognized by your peers? If so, please tell us about it!
I completed pre-med with the highest honors and, on admission to graduate school, was awarded the Hamilton-Carter Scholarship “for embodying the mission and values of the Duke PA program, focusing on service, leadership, and academic excellence.” However, my proudest achievements are my lovely wife of 18 years and five amazing kids. They have been both my greatest inspiration and success in life.
What about Charlotte excites you?
I have lived just north of Charlotte in the Piedmont region for a few decades now, and I love the accessibility of the Appalachians just to the west and the beautiful beaches several hours to the east. It’s a really great place to live.
Do you have any Hobbies, interests, or secret powers that are unique to you?
Most of my hobbies include the outdoors – hiking, camping, swimming in mountain streams, and sitting around campfires under the starlight. I also love international travel and getting to experience new landscapes, cultures, and foods.