Dr. Patel is an assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is a double-board certified Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Brain Injury Medicine physician. He relishes working in a learning and research environment at Duke University Medical Center in the Orthopaedics Department. He has a deep passion for comparative philosophy and self-development and is looking forward to a new experiment in education.
He espouses Socrates' philosophy: "All I know is that I know nothing."
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What excites you about your role at Duke?
This is a new opportunity at Duke for patients to receive comprehensive rehabilitation care focusing on patients striving to achieve their functional goals. Because this is new to Duke, I believe there is tremendous potential for growth and improving the quality of life for all our patients. I am enjoying forging relationships with other specialties as we strive toward the same goal, whether it be patients with Neurological, Cardiovascular, or Musculoskeletal conditions.
Tell us about your research interests and what you enjoy about research.
I am working on establishing functional data to create normative values and prognostic information for limb loss patients. This includes assessing the efficacy and utilization of comprehensive Yoga as a treatment modality.
Why did you choose the field of medicine and this specialty?
I chose medicine after seeing my father (a Pulmonologist) practice medicine. His relationships, influence, and love to help people left an imprint on me. I wanted to choose a career where, inherently, I was able to interact with people and improve their quality of life by working toward achieving goals they wanted to achieve.
Where will your specific field and specialty advance in the next five years?
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation is centered around individualized patient care to improve quality of life and maximize function through a multi-disciplinary approach. I believe these qualities will be the benchmark for guiding the practice of value-based medicine in the future.
What brings you personal joy?
Spirituality, philosophical inquiry, redefining education, time in nature, family, and friends.
Hometown
Virginia Beach, VA
Education
- Medical University of Lublin (Poland) – MD
- College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA – Undergraduate