While on the interview trail Dr Patel fell in love with Southern California. He spent seven years at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he completed his Internal Medicine residency. There he was selected as the community clinic “Resident of the Year” and was presented the Ben Newman award, honoring a physician who has demonstrated humanism, compassion, and empathy. He was subsequently appointed Chief Resident and acted as junior faculty for the program.
 
He began his fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Cedars-Sinai in the midst of the COVID pandemic. This accelerated his training in the care of critically ill patients with respiratory failure as well as managing the long-term sequelae of lung disease. During his fellowship he met his future wife Dr Natalie Achamallah, also a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician practicing in Santa Barbara.
 
Dr Patel is especially interested in pulmonary vascular disease, including pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary embolism. While at Cedars-Sinai he pursued specialized training in these conditions at the Smidt Heart Institute. He also spent dedicated time working in the Interventional Pulmonology department, learning advanced bronchoscopic procedures. He brings this specialized training to Santa Barbara, including navigational robotic bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound.
 
Throughout his career Dr Patel has deeply enjoyed and shown a commitment to teaching his peers, trainees, and patients. He brings this love to his clinical practice, enabling him to engage in shared decision-making and patient-oriented care.
 
Dr Patel is delighted to join Drs Wright and Belkin in their service to the Santa Barbara community.  When he is not at work he enjoys exploring the outdoors; biking, swimming, and hiking.

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