Start Year: 2020
Basics
Hometown
Roanoke, Virginia
Where did you attend university/college?
Wake Forest University
Where did you attend medical school?
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
What are your career goals?
I intend on applying to cardiology to pursue a career specializing in heart failure and infiltrative cardiomyopathies. I hope to develop into a clinical leader, site investigator, and educator.
Faculty have a genuine interest in educating house staff. I will never forget how much teaching there was on my first day in the medical ICU. Their passion for medical education was remarkably evident, and it was awesome to witness that in first few days of my intern year.
-Harsh Patolia
Reflections on the Duke Program
What were you looking for in a residency program?
I really wanted to learn and work in a hospital where there would be a consistent focus on doing better. I also sought a program that took care of a diverse group of patients, not only with regards to socioeconomic status and race but also the diseases that we would treat. The last but perhaps most important consideration was the overall "culture" of the residency and the hospital system. For example, how did staff and residents interact? How much mentoring is provided to residents by attending physicians? Is there a focus on inter-professional collaboration when it comes to coordinating care? Duke University categorically checked all of these boxes off for me on my interview day, and the rest is history!
What are the strengths of the Duke Program?
The strengths of Duke's internal medicine residency program are derived from its people. From seamless integration of resident mentorship to a focus on team-based healthcare that utilizes every voice, Duke's IM program offers experiences that help develop physicians for an evolving American healthcare system. The culture in the program has been the product of program leadership. They always advocate for residents and ensure that their voices are heard.
What are your observations about the relationships between faculty and house staff?
Faculty have a genuine interest in educating house staff. I will never forget how much teaching there was on my first day in the medical ICU. Attending physician drew diagrams de novo and concept mapping on glass boards as we rounded. Their passion for medical education was remarkably evident, and it was awesome to witness that in first few days of my intern year.
Tell us about your co-residents. What has helped you connect, support each other, and form friendships?
Though the COVID-19 pandemic restricted our ability to spend time together in large numbers, we've been able to meet each other responsibly both in and out of the hospital. My co-residents are an incredibly accomplished group of individuals, and I feel that I'm always learning something new from all those that I have met thus far. I've noticed that my co-residents share a strong degree of camaraderie and that we all have an interest in making each other the best clinicians we can possibly be. We are very supportive of each other, and an accomplishment for one of us is an accomplishment for us all.
About Duke University and Durham
What has surprised you most about Duke?
I was so struck by the collegiality and friendliness of all members of the Duke family. There seems to be an ardent sense of familiarity among all of the employees, and this has allayed many of my fears of starting to work in a new place.
What is the best thing about living in Durham and the Triangle?
Definitely the ease of travel and lack of traffic. In about 10 to 20 minutes, I can be in downtown Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, or even Raleigh. This convenience has been fantastic since many of my friends and family live in the Triangle.
How does the Triangle appeal to people of diverse backgrounds?
The Triangle attracts people with different skill sets from around the world. From biotechnology to business, the Triangle's diversity in industry draws people from all backgrounds. The community here is so welcoming to newcomers, and almost every day I feel like I'm meeting people from different parts of the world. This area seems to seamlessly blend traditional southern hospitality with the cutting edge of globalization.
Where did you choose to live and why?
I chose to live in Hope Valley Farms, a suburb of Durham, because it provides a quiet community with lots of protected bike lanes.
What advice would you give to someone looking to move to Durham?
There is most certainly lots of housing in this area, and I think everyone should consider renting or purchasing in some of the communities outside of downtown Durham. There are so many great housing opportunities.
What are your interests outside of medicine?
Road and mountain biking, backpacking, camping, playing the piano and saxophone, eating ice cream, reading, searching for the world's best taco, photography, and board games.