We are proud to feature Dr. Dharmesh Patel among our physicians here at Evansville Surgical Associates. He has been on our team for over a decade, providing the highest quality of care to Evansville and the surrounding community.
Dr. Patel graduated from Henderson County High School in 1997. He went on to Xavier University where he graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts, followed by his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2005. He joined the Evansville team following his residency at the University of Illinois in Peoria from 2005 to 2010. On top of general surgery, Dr. Patel has a special interest in pediatric, esophageal, and endocrine surgery.
What do you enjoy about being a surgeon?
Surgery appealed to me because not only do you have to have the knowledge of basic medical diseases, but you also have to have some level of skill to perform the operations. I did a fair amount of sports throughout high school so I think I’ve learned through activity and doing rather than just reading. For me, it coordinated the ‘thinking’ and ‘doing’ to help patients improve their lives or outcomes.
The importance of being able to think “surgically” as well as perform surgical procedures truly comes out in the emergency room. Dr. Patel explains the difference between general surgery and emergency surgery by saying, “When I see patients in the office [for general surgery] it’s pretty straightforward. People have a story, we make our recommendations, and we do surgery.”
But trauma surgery is another matter. According to Dr. Patel, “People need us pretty quickly. You have to think on your feet, come up with a plan pretty quickly, and get people fixed up right away.”
Click here to read more about trauma surgery centers in Evansville!
What motivated you to join Evansville Surgical Associates?
Dr. Patel is a native of the area, having grown up just minutes away in Henderson, KY. He says:
I always thought I’d come back home, whether it be to my own hometown or to Evansville …The bigger hospital here in Evansville allows me to use more of my training. I felt like I had a very vast and large training, and this allows me to use all of the skills that I picked up through residency.
What kind of changes have you seen since joining Evansville Surgical Associates?
The Evansville area has grown significantly since Dr. Patel was young and in the decade since he came home. “The whole medical community, the population, everything in this area continues to get bigger. More complicated if you will in terms of patients we take care of.”
“By no means is it staying stagnant,” he says. “Everything takes more time and more effort, which is a good thing because it also helps with personal growth. It challenges you to be on top of your game as opposed to getting used to a couple of normal mundane things that never change.”
What unique perspective do you bring to Evansville Surgical Associates?
For Dr. Patel, it’s not just about caring for patients, but recognizing that he’s caring for the family of his friends and neighbors. This is why he strives to be upfront and truthful with his patients, regardless of the prognosis.
Some of the things we tell patients, whether it’s a disease or a bad accident, every patient is frightened. I’ve seen a lot of people in medicine sugarcoat things and beat around the bush, but I think my patients appreciate my honest approach. I don’t do it out of meanness, but by getting it out front with honesty we can get to a solution faster or figure out what we need to do about it.
What do you want patients to know about you?
For Dr. Patel, it’s important to remember that doctors and surgeons are just like their patients, with their own daily worries and concerns. “I’m no different from my patients,” he explains. “It really goes back to the honesty thing. We’re all busy and no one has time to beat around the bush. I’m just like them with human problems, real-world problems, just like them.”
How do you spend your free time?
Dr. Patel has two daughters who are becoming more active in school activities. He is an avid golfer and is enjoying introducing his daughters to the game. They enjoy traveling as a family and seeing new things outside of town whenever they have the opportunity.
Need a surgical consultation? Call us at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231 to get started!
Evansville Surgical Associates has been providing comprehensive and compassionate surgical care for over 50 years. Call us at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231. We are available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm if you would like to schedule an appointment.
