Welcoming New Stroke Neurologist: Kishan Patel, M.D.
Providence Brain & Spine Institute
Where did you complete your medical training?
I went to medical school in my hometown, Ahmedabad, India. After graduation, I completed neurology residency at he Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas Medical Center. I went to Emory University for my stroke neurology training, where I had the opportunity to work at the Grady Memorial Hospital, one of the busiest stroke centers in the country.
What brought you to Portland and why do you like living here?
The proximity to all the elements of nature was the obvious aspect that brought us to Portland. The warmth of the people in the Pacific Northwest was also a significant factor. On our first trip here, I recall my wife saying to me "Everyone is so nice and welcoming!".
How did you become interested in stroke neurology?
The field of stroke neurology has evolved exponentially over the past two decades. I was intrigued by the idea that you can treat a patient with a life-changing neurological disability and turn it around with a procedure or medication. Early in my residency, I was fascinated by how these acute stroke therapies were able to help patients.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My wife and I enjoy landscape photography and astrophotography. After moving to Portland, we feel overwhelmed by the photographic opportunities that this area offers.
What life experience has taught or changed you the most?
An unfortunate reality of working with stroke patients is being exposed to a high degree of rapid onset morbidity and mortality. “What is the last known normal time?” This is the first question we ask when approaching an acute stroke evaluation -- the time when a person became a patient. This gives providers a brief glimpse into the patient's "normal life" before it takes a drastic turn in the form of loss of livelihood or life. Such experiences, which become stroke providers' routine, lead us to have a "live in the moment" approach to life. They have taught me to appreciate the subtleties of life and have a greater appreciation for friends, family and colleagues.
