INTERVIEW WITH SAGAR PATEL, MD

What guided your decision to go into medicine and specifically, your chosen field?

I have always loved a challenge. Finding a balance between navigating scientific thought, mastering a craft and utilizing my social skills led to believe that being a surgeon would be the best career path for me. Becoming a facial plastic surgeon was about finding the speciality that would keep me motivated and always learning while engaging with the patient population I thrived with the most.

“Patient autonomy and holistic care are the cornerstones of my beliefs on promoting and improving healthcare in America.”

What can a patient expect when they have you as a doctor?

They can expect me to be me. I don’t regularly wear my white coat and try to practice medicine as if every patient were a member of my family. I went into a speciality that fosters a relaxed environment so expect a no frills and laid back California attitude.

What makes you different from other doctors in your field?

Raised by an immigrant nurse and engineer, I was always raised to be humble. The world associates Beverly Hills plastic surgeons with an ostentatious lifestyle and personality, and while I am certainly not quiet, I vow to always stay humble!

What is your favorite activity outside of work?

I love watching sports! I’ll watch anything from cricket to basketball. I’m a competitive person and I appreciate competition in its highest form.

You recently joined the Doctorpedia team as a Founding Medical Partner. What about Doctorpedia resonates with your personal and professional mission?

Patient autonomy and holistic care are the cornerstones of my beliefs on promoting and improving healthcare in America. Firstly, Doctorpedia fosters patient autonomy by expanding the most important tool necessary: engaging patient education. Finally, the all-inclusive approach of Doctorpedia promotes a holistic view that understands the true nature of our patients: we care about lifestyle, health and happiness.

“Patient education resources face two issues: they are either centralized and not written by doctors for patients or they are decentralized and difficult to access. Doctorpedia understands the changing landscape of how patients consume data and through multi-platform content, Doctorpedia will engage patients in a multifactorial manner.”

What do you think about the health and wellness information and resources available online?

The industry is ripe for a disruptive force and I believe Doctorpedia is the element that will be the single largest technological change in decades. Patient education resources face two issues: they are either centralized and not written by doctors for patients or they are decentralized and difficult to access. Doctorpedia understands the changing landscape of how patients consume data and through multi-platform content, Doctorpedia will engage patients in a multifactorial manner.

If you could spend a day with any person in the world (dead or alive) – who would you choose?

I have always been a huge fan of Kobe Bryant. His drive, passion and success in so many aspects of his life are astonishing. While his accomplishments are impressive, his compassion and dedication to his community and family are what sets him apart. While there are others who have obtained his level of success, there are not many people who can speak to the challenges he faced.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a doctor?

I would be a chef. Culinary science and medicine share so many similarities. When I cook, I enjoy engaging all the senses and challenging myself to continue to improve my craft.

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