Duke Orthopaedics is excited to welcome Akash N. Patel, DO, CAQSM, as an assistant professor in the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Patel offers extensive expertise in non-operative musculoskeletal care, sports medicine, and medical education.
Dr. Patel earned his Bachelor of Science from Emory University. He then completed his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – Georgia Campus. He finished his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of North Carolina, where he also served as Chief Resident and received several honors, including Resident of the Year and Team Player of the Year.
Before joining Duke, Dr. Patel worked at Spine and Scoliosis Specialists at Novant Health, focusing on ultrasound-guided injections and non-operative treatments for musculoskeletal conditions. He has spoken at numerous regional and national conferences and is committed to teaching, having lectured on topics from spinal issues to sports medicine emergencies.
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We asked Dr. Patel to share a bit more about himself
Q: What brings you joy?
A: Professionally, I find a lot of joy in visualizing my patients' progress from injury to recovery, and then finally seeing them reach their goals. I also really enjoy teaching medical learners at different levels and helping them achieve their goals.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Together with my wife, Puja, and our son, Shaan, we are on a mission to try all the various cuisines the Triangle has to offer. I also enjoy playing a plethora of sports, including basketball, tennis, and table tennis.
Q: What excites you about your new role at Duke Ortho?
A: I am excited to be in a position where I can educate the next generation of physicians. Orthopaedics and PM & R are constantly evolving. With an aging population, it is vital to prepare future physicians with a strong musculoskeletal foundation so they can help keep their patients as functional as possible.
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I was born and raised in Middlesboro, KY. I currently live in Pittsboro, NC.
Q: Where do you see Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation heading in the next 5–10 years?
A: I believe that in the next 5–10 years, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will continue to build on the safety and effectiveness of orthobiologics. I think ongoing research will continue to demonstrate the benefits of current orthobiologics, such as platelet-rich plasma therapy, and will also reveal new therapies that could help patients recover more quickly and reduce the need for surgery.
We’re thrilled to have Dr. Patel join our team and look forward to the impact he will make in patient care, education, and research.
