This month the office of development and alumni relationships had the wonderful pleasure of interviewing Dr. Rikhil D. Patel, Podiatrist, Podiatric Physician, and Surgeon.
Being a Podiatrist is not something Dr. Patel was always interested in. It wasn’t until half way through his senior year of studying Biochemical Engineering at Rutgers University, when a Podiatrist visited his Prosthetics class. The presentation intrigued Dr. Patel and he knew from that moment that he wanted to become a Podiatrist. When Dr. Patel completed his undergraduate degree, he began speaking with a few doctors and then visited Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. After his visit he then applied to the school. Dr. Patel was accepted and started studying Podiatry the following year at Temple. When he graduated in 2013 he went on to do his surgical residency at Phoenixville Hospital in PA. He later got his fellowship in Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery with Diabetic Limb Salvage in 2016.
Dr. Patel’s success has been shown through receiving back to back, Top Doctor Awards along with many other publications. His proudest accomplishment was seeing how appreciated he was when he left his former practice of three years in Naples, Florida to move to Annapolis, Maryland so that he could be closer to family. Leaving his practice in Naples was not easy because he establish himself so well there and knew he made an important impact on his patients and co-workers lives because they were upset to see him leave. Dr. Patel says that his greatest accomplishment as a Podiatrist is impacting the lives of patients. With success also comes challenges in which Dr. Patel had to reestablish himself in Annapolis and adjust to the new environment. He found that locally acknowledged recognition allowed him to promote himself and bring in more patients.
Something that Dr. Patel has learned throughout his career is that the business side of medicine is important to know and learn. He has taught himself good billing and marketing strategies that are not taught in Podiatry school. The advice that he gives current podiatry students is, “Everyone you meet in life knows something you don’t. You can learn from everyone, especially your patients.” Dr. Patel has been a great example of Temple University’s School of Podiatric Medicine continues to represent the school every day.
Dr. Patel, it was such a wonderful opportunity to interview you, we wish you the best of luck, and cannot wait to see what else you accomplish with your Podiatric Profession in the future.