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fellowship in hematology/oncology at the Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York, where he also received the Chief Resident Recognition Award. Though his basement apartment in Queens was a little far away from his family in New Jersey—and despite the fact that the bone-deep exhaustion of a medical internship made a social life difficult—Dr. Patel found not only companionship, but love, right under his own roof. “My landlord had a very friendly, down-to-earth, gorgeous daughter,” he explains. “And that amazing person became my lifelong friend and wife.” Inspired by healthcare providers on the front line, be it a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina or a viral outbreak, Dr. Patel wanted to enter a field of medicine in which he could make a positive impact on the quality of life of his patients. In particular, it was the special patient-doctor relationship that encouraged him to specialize in oncology and hematology. As a physician at Southern Oncology Specialists, Dr. Patel is keenly aware that upon hearing a diagnosis of cancer, patients face a multitude of issues in addition to their diagnosis, such as fear, pain, and financial hardship. He takes very seriously his role in helping them navigate those concerns. “It is my honor to help patients through their challenges,” he says. “Caring for cancer patients has been the most rewarding experience in my life.”
DR. PORAS PATEL, MD BOARD-CERTIFIED PHYSICIAN/MEDICAL ONCOLOGY & HEMATOLOGY, SOUTHERN ONCOLOGY SPECIALISTS
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rowing up in Gujarat, India, Poras Patel was fascinated by science. But it wasn’t until his grandmother was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer that he knew with certainty he wanted to become a physician.
Because of the determination and sacrifices of his parents, Poras was encouraged to strive high and work hard. He attended Rutgers University in New Jersey for his undergraduate degree and completed his residency in internal medicine and a
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As a healthcare professional, Dr. Patel also knows that in order to help others enhance the quality of their lives he must also take care of himself. That’s why he chose to make Lake Norman his home, where he and his wife could enjoy kayaking, hiking, biking, and just taking in what he refers to as “the beautiful vibes” of the area. In addition, Dr. Patel helps those most in need by serving as a volunteer physician with the Medical Reserve Corps, a citywide emergency preparedness program. In being such a devoted advocate of strength and hope to all his patients, Dr. Patel is living proof that if you do what makes you happy, success will follow. w WRITER
Dana Jordan
