2022 Fall STAR Educator Recipient: Neela Patel, MD, MPH, CMD
Neela Patel, MD, MPH, CMD
Associate Professor
Department of Family and Community Medicine; Chief, Division of Geriatrics and Supportive Care
Nomination Submission:
I have known Dr. Patel as my teacher, mentor, and role model for five years. As a 3rd year medical student, seeing her care for older adults and communicate with their family members and caregivers touched my heart and led me to become a Family Physician. Dr. Patel asked each new patient in clinic the same simple, but important, question: “What motivates you, what keeps you going every day?” I quickly realized the patient’s answer gave Dr. Patel deep insight into the person’s quality of life and what she could do to enhance it. Instead of just dealing with the person’s medical problems, she amazed me by taking the time to ask and counsel accordingly: She also treated the person’s mind and spirit. She told patients that she cares for them as whole person, not just one body part or organ system. This mentality was pivotal to my desire to pursue Family Medicine as my specialty, and to this day I tell my patients that I care for them as a whole person: Mind, body, spirit. Throughout 4th year and residency, Dr. Patel continued to develop my desire to become an outstanding physician by teaching me, serving as my mentor, and being my role model. As a teacher, she fueled my desire to learn and apply information. Rarely answering my questions about patient care directly, Dr. Patel stirred my curiosity and challenged me to search for answers. Thus, I attribute much of my success in residency to her teaching. As my mentor during residency, Dr. Patel has been my biggest supporter. She always listened when I asked for advice and guidance throughout my training. As I start my Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, Dr. Patel’s passions for teaching and mentoring learners and caring for geriatric patients have become mine.
I’ve known and worked with Dr. Patel since I was an intern in the family medicine residency program. In addition, she has been my preceptor at the UT geriatric clinic, various nursing homes, and acute care of the elderly unit (ACE) in Christus Santa Rosa Hospital Medical Center.
She is an excellent clinical teacher who emphasizes taking care of the whole person, offering continuity of care to our geriatric patients in various settings. She models patient-centered care, embracing a compassionate and empathetic approach, and providing social and family support. I can vividly recall Dr. Patel sharing her own story with a cancer patient. She had encouraged everyone in her family reunion to complete advanced directives. The story was to remind the patient of the importance of having his wishes be known as soon as possible and not burden his family in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed learning at the bedside and observing her navigating through difficult conversations with family members who have their loved ones hospitalized. Dr. Patel also fosters learners’ interests at different levels of training, including medical students, residents, and fellows, which inspires learners to achieve their full potential. She also serves as a brilliant leader in the geriatrics division and champions effective management efforts in all the services she provides. All these attributes, as mentioned above, qualify her for this much-deserved recognition.