The son of two doctors, Urjeet Patel, MD ’97, learned about the importance of medicine and gained an easy familiarity with the field at a young age. “It’s what we talked about over the dinner table,” says Patel. That exposure, along with Patel’s abilities in math and science, led him to set his sights on a medical career.
But first Patel would challenge himself by majoring in philosophy in college. His high school’s emphasis on the humanities stuck with Patel and impacted his decision. Later, other values, instilled at Yale School of Medicine (YSM), would impact Patel’s career trajectory.
Compelling Yale System
Like most college students planning for careers in medicine, Patel applied to several medical schools. What set YSM apart for him? Largely, it was the Yale System.
Reflecting on the day he first visited YSM, Patel says, “Hearing the students and faculty talk about the Yale System … it was very compelling. YSM’s curriculum was notably different in a special way. The school’s unique philosophy conveyed to students, ‘We trust you to do what you need to do—to want to know the material, master it, and move on to the next phase.’” The system also allowed for some personalization of studies, which Patel liked.
Instilled Values
While the Yale System was what drew Patel in, it was the people—the faculty and colleagues—he met while a YSM student that shaped his future.
He was surrounded by role models who emphasized the importance of leadership, innovation, and research. Patel says, “There was an expectation that you would be a very good doctor at a minimum. But how about being leaders in your field? How about innovators? How about research? Those are some of the values that really stuck with me.”
Among the people who stood out were anatomy instructors Shanta Kapadia, MBBS, MS, and Harry Briggs, MD ’57, HS ’65, a retired surgeon. Their passion for anatomy fueled Patel’s own excitement for the subject.
Another faculty member, the then-chief of otolaryngology (ENT), Clarence Sasaki, MD ’66, influenced Patel’s choice of medical specialty. “Part of the reason I fell into ENT was Sasaki,” says Patel. “He brought a rigor and intensity to the department and was one of the most hardcore surgeons with whom I’ve ever worked. He ran a super tight ship. I learned that ENT was serious business, and that was compelling for me.”
By the end of his third year at YSM, Patel realized that surgery resonated most with him: “I knew my happy place was the operating room.”
Patel later became a head and neck surgeon specializing in cancer and reconstructive surgeries and has been practicing for 20 years. In Chicago, he is affiliated with both a university hospital and a public safety-net hospital—Northwestern Memorial Hospital and John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, respectively.
Rise to Build, Lead New Cancer Center
Doing serious, impactful work and striving to excel as a leader have always been undercurrents that have driven Patel. His chosen specialty illustrates his commitment to challenging work. “Cancer is a serious disease,” he says. “We see patients when they’ve just received the worst news of their life, and hopefully we can get them through that. Taking care of sick patients, operating, doing something I love … that’s rewarding.”
Moreover, across research, academic, clinical, policy, and administrative areas, Patel has taken on diverse leadership roles. At Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, he advanced to full professor. And, from early in his career, he led the ENT division and chaired the Cancer Committee at Stroger Hospital. Many other leadership positions have been in the mix. But Patel thought: “Can I go on to harness my leadership skills and do something even larger?”
This desire to pursue something greater—instilled at YSM—led Patel to build and lead a new cancer center at Stroger Hospital. He is now its medical director. Five years ago, he shared his vision for the center, and after two years of planning and assembling the components and support needed, it was launched.
Patel notes, “I would not have guessed 20 years ago that I would someday be leading a cancer center. There was a little bit of vision, a little bit of leadership, and the right cooperation to get where we are now.”
Connecting With Students
Patel has also made time to connect with current and prospective YSM students.
“Exciting” and “formative” is how Patel remembers his 1992 White Coat Ceremony and the moment he was handed his white coat, “the badge of honor of the profession.” So, when he learned about the opportunity for alumni to participate in the White Coat and Stethoscope Campaign by sponsoring an incoming student, he jumped on board.
Each sponsorship supports the cost of a white coat, a stethoscope, and YSM swag for a student, and sponsors are invited to attend the ceremony. Patel recalls that after the ceremony last August, he received a thank-you card from the student he had sponsored, Meera Nair, MD ’28 (candidate). In her note, she invited him to connect with her.
In the fall, Patel reached out to Nair on one of his visits to New Haven, and they found a time to meet and chat—on the benches outside of Harkness Hall. Last month, they met again on campus. “These sponsorships offer a simple yet impactful way to connect with a student,” he says.
Patel also participates in the prospective student calling campaign and shares, “I’m very proud of YSM because of the role it has played in my life, so I’m eager to share that with prospective students—to carry the banner of the school.”