Q & A with Laura Patel, MD – Chief Medical Officer of Transitions LifeCare
Why did you decide to work in palliative care? When I first began in my internal medicine training, I found myself frustrated by the way our flawed systems repeatedly failed my patients. I was drawn to geriatrics, and later to hospice and palliative care, because of the team approach—the recognition that support from many different perspectives are needed to care for our most frail and tenuous patients. The model I found in hospice recognized the importance of the family unit, the connection between mind/body/spirt in health and healing, and the value of bringing the strengths of the whole healthcare team together to bring care to complex patients. It has been an absolute privilege to serve our community through my work at Transitions LifeCare since 2013.
What is your favorite part of your job? One of the favorite parts of my job is continuously learning from all of the amazing and dedicated staff that I work alongside.
What do you enjoy most about living in the Triangle area? I have been in the Triangle for over 12 years altogether, first for medical training and fellowship, and then upon my return back to the area in 2013. This is a place that has it all. Big cities, college towns, foodie restaurants, sports, good schools, and nice people! My family loves to take weekend trips to the beach and the mountains. And I love being able to watch the UNC women’s soccer team play and know that I am watching future Olympians and world cup champs!