May 2021
Seven Oaks LIVING AN EXCLUSIVE SOCIAL PUBLICATION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SEVEN OAKS
meet long-time residents
DRS. RAVI & NAINA PATEL Photo by April & Co.
YOUR STORIES. YOUR FAMILIES. YOUR COMMUNIT Y.
meet your neighbors Contributed by Linda Griess Photography by April Massirio (April & Co) and Felix Adamo (Adamopictures.com)
Amar, Naina, Ravi, and Rishi Patel
18 years old, because in India you can begin attending medical school at that age. The first time he actually spoke to me was at the train station. I was leaving on a trip; he came to the station and started up a conversation with me. He told me he’d like to get to know me better and he wanted to be friends.” That friendship turned into something more; Ravi and Naina dated through medical school for nearly four years. They fondly refer to themselves as “college sweethearts.” They married in India in 1977.
Introducing Your Neighbors,
Drs. Ravi & Naina Patel It’s been said that a person’s character is a sum total of their life experiences. After having the privilege of meeting with Drs. Ravi and Naina Patel, I can share that whatever experiences they’ve gained over the years, it has resulted in two individuals of great character who personify a spirit of caring, kindness, and generosity. I’m honored to share more about the Patel family, below. Dr. Ravi Patel grew up in a place known for its many civil and social challenges, Johannesburg, South Africa. As a young man, Ravi’s goal was to attend medical school, yet because of the country’s existing racial discrimination, it was very difficult to gain acceptance. For that reason, he decided to pursue his medical degree in India, at Gujarat University Medical College. Ravi’s move from South Africa to India led to another pivotal, life-changing event. While in medical school, he “came across a lady who was quite beautiful,” he shared. His wife of 41 years, Dr. Naina Patel, (a native of Calcutta, India) adds, “We were in class together; I was
14 Seven Oaks Living • May 2021
After graduation, the newlyweds’ plan was to return to South Africa to practice medicine in some of the more rural-area hospitals. Yet Naina’s brothers had come to the United States several years earlier and had shared with Ravi and Naina that America truly was, “The Land of Opportunity.” So, the couple obtained their green cards and relocated to the United States, performing their residency in Chicago at the University of Illinois, Ravenswood Hospital. In the mid-80s, both Ravi and Naina were considering where they would relocate to start their post-residency careers; it needed to be a place where both of them could thrive as physicians. Ravi specialized in hematology and oncology, and Naina specialized in cardiac anesthesiology. They learned that a well-established cardiac surgery group in Bakersfield was looking for a cardiac anesthesiologist, so they traveled out West to begin a series of interviews; Naina for the cardiac anesthesiology position, and
On vacation in Japan, with Mt. Fuji in the background
Ravi for oncology. “At the time, there was very limited cancer care here in town, so we knew we could contribute,” Ravi shared. They made the trip in April. “It was so beautiful – flowers and trees were blooming, everywhere!” they shared. “We knew right then we wanted to be in California.” And that’s how their new life began in Bakersfield. Naina started her role as a cardiac anesthesiologist, and Ravi began his role in oncology and hematology. After several years in Bakersfield, Ravi decided to open his own office; he recalls it was less than 800 square feet with only one employee. A few years later, he had outgrown it and was also in need of more associates. Fast forward to today, where Ravi leads one of the area’s premier cancer treatment centers, Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center (CBCC), which opened in 1986 and encompasses more than 100,000 square feet of treatment and program space, with more than 250 team members. CBCC is a “one-stop shop” for cancer care and related support services, including diagnosis, detection, treatment, maintenance, and clinical trials, and is affiliated with both UCLA TRIO Research Network and Dignity Health. Ravi is the Director of Medical Oncology & Hematology, and over the past 20 years, Naina has held the role of Director of Mind and Body Medicine.
Enjoying some vacation time together
As I chatted with Ravi and Naina, I was fortunate enough to have their son, Amar, come through their home, which was great timing. Ravi then asked Amar to share more about the Foundation. “It was established in 2005,” he said. “My parents, through their practices, recognized a number of unmet needs. Our focus revolves around five interconnected Pillars: Homelessness, Education, Environment, Nutrition, and ultimately, Spirituality. What we know is that you need to have the first four of these pillars addressed, and once these needs are met, you can then begin to grow in your spirituality. Ultimately, that’s where we believe true happiness comes from – having a strong sense of spirituality.”
“I’ve always been interested in the mind/body connection,” Naina shared. “Fifteen years ago, I retired from my former cardiac anesthesiology role and pursued the study and practice of mind/ body medicine and healing. This led me to me establishing a number of stress reduction classes now offered through CBCC.” As a part of that vision, Naina also opened the Health & Wellness Café at CBCC, a place where both employees and guests can enjoy healthy, nutritious meals created with organic ingredients. Ravi and Naina have two sons, their eldest being just two months old when they arrived in Bakersfield. Five years apart, both sons are graduates of Stockdale High School and UC Berkeley. Rishi (now age 35), their first son, is currently completing a Palliative Care Fellowship at UCLA. Amar (age 30), their second son, graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Molecular Biology, and now operates the family’s philanthropic arm, The Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation. May 2021 • Seven Oaks Living
15
With the boys at Machu Picchu, Peru
Beautiful blossoming trees in Japan
Within the Foundation’s Pillar focused on Homelessness, they work with organizations like the Kern County Homeless Collaborative to address the needs of this community, as well as the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter and the Alliance for Family Violence. Within the Pillar of Education, they offer scholarships through CSU Bakersfield and Bakersfield College to help financially needy students reach their educational goals. As part of the Nutrition Pillar, Naina has instituted the Health & Wellness Café, which in addition to offering meals to employees and the public, also began a program last year that provides more than 200 meals a day through the CityServe organization to the homeless community. CityServe volunteers pick up these meals from the café and then distribute to the needy through a network of local churches. As part of the Spirituality Pillar, the Foundation also brings stress reduction and meditation classes to schools. Pre-pandemic, the plan was to expand this program to include at-risk juveniles, yet that’s on pause for now, as is a similar program for yoga and meditation techniques. Once started up, these classes will be held at CBCC. Additionally, the Foundation provides the means for particular spiritual aspirants and monks to live a life fully dedicated to deepening their own spirituality and spreading it to others. Amar shared, “Last year, with the COVID-19 Pandemic, we made a decision to focus less on our Five Pillars and instead, redirect our energy toward COVID-related needs. We made a donation to the COVID Early Treatment Fund in the time before the vaccines came out, and also donated to two prison organizations, as incarcerated people were badly hit by the COVID epidemic. We also gave to two Native American causes; one of these was the First Nations COVID Relief Fund, one of the largest organizations helping Native Americans. We’ve also assisted the Dolores Huerta Foundation in helping the migrant worker population during this crisis. And we continue to provide meals to the homeless through CityServe.” Through the Foundation, the Patels were also instrumental in helping to establish the Kern County Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps cancer patients who need access to care get the support they need, including medicine and transportation to and from their treatments. The reach of the Ravi and Naina Patel Foundation goes far beyond Bakersfield and its outlying areas. It also extends to the other side of the globe, where in India, the Foundation funded the building of a school for underprivileged children without access
16 Seven Oaks Living • May 2021
Ravi, with a black panther by the tail
to a regular education, as well as toilets and sanitation for three villages. They also provide cancer prevention and education information to hundreds of smaller Indian villages. With all of this good work in process, are the Patels able to find the time to take a break and relax? The answer is yes. They enjoy hiking trips, especially in the beautiful Southern Sierra, the Glenville area, and Wind Wolves Preserve (“A hidden secret!” they remarked), and they wish they had time to do more. They also enjoy cooking at home and dining out at local restaurants like Mama Tosca and Blue Elephant. When asked about living in Seven Oaks, both Ravi and Naina share, “This is a great community. We love living so close to the beautiful golf course, and we and our neighbors all enjoy common interests like golfing.” (Ravi tells me he gets out to play when he can). “We also enjoy just walking around our area.” Naina plays bridge with a regular group, and hopes it isn’t much longer before they can end their pandemic-induced break and get back to playing again. Another little-known talent Ravi shared – he plays the keyboard. “I really enjoy it! It’s relaxing. I have no formal training, but my family tells me it sounds good. Whatever I’m playing, everyone seems to like it. “ With all of their personal, professional, and philanthropic accomplishments, what stands out to them as their most important contribution? “I’m honored to say we literally changed the landscape of cancer care here in the community,” Ravi shared. “Due to the work of our CBCC team, our total patient number stands at approximately 240,000. So directly or indirectly, we’ve touched the lives of one out of four people in Kern County, in some way shape or form.” I asked them how they’d sum up their experience living in Bakersfield, a place where they’ve spent more than half their lives. “This is a beautiful area, and a great place to live. We’ve been very happy here. It’s a solid community with humble, generous residents – people of real character. Bakersfield is the community where Dr. Chuck Wall came up with the phrase, ‘Today I Will Commit One Random Act of Senseless Kindness.’ Whether it’s helping others through the Foundation, meeting new people, saying hello to old friends, or running into people when I lose a golf ball (he joked), Bakersfield is about random acts of kindness, feeling connected and knowing that we’re all making a difference in so many different ways.” May 2021 • Seven Oaks Living
17
Seven Oaks LIVING