Phoenix Children’s Hospital, a premier acute pediatric facility in Arizona, has appointed Ashish S. Patel, MD, an Indian American, as physician-in-chief of its expanding health system. Dr. Patel now heads four of the hospital’s eight clinical centers, including Emergency and Diagnostic Medicine, the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, the Aerodigestive Clinic, and Medical Subspecialties, according to an official statement.
In his new capacity, Dr. Patel also supervises hospitalist medicine, mental and behavioral health services, and Phoenix Children’s Pediatrics practices. Additionally, he joins the health system’s Executive Physician Leadership team and the Phoenix Children’s Medical Group Governance Council.
Jared Muenzer, MD, MBA, chief physician executive at Phoenix Children’s, commended Dr. Patel’s leadership, emphasizing his contributions to education, research, team development, care quality enhancement, and community engagement, which have significantly impacted the health system and its beneficiaries.
Prior to taking on his present position, Dr. Patel held the position of division chief overseeing gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at Phoenix Children’s for a period of four years. During this tenure, he expanded the faculty to 25 physicians and augmented the team to over 55 specialists, dieticians, nurses, and medical assistants.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the expanded responsibilities, Dr. Patel expressed pride in Phoenix Children’s unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery. He looks forward to leading initiatives aimed at ensuring top-notch care for every child and family.
Dr. Patel is deeply invested in mentoring the next generation of physicians, regularly guiding medical students, residents, and fellows in their research and medical careers. Under his guidance, Phoenix Children’s launched its first Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Program, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
After graduating from Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Dr. Patel finished his pediatric residency at Texas A&M Health. Subsequently, he undertook a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He actively contributes to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Arizona Chapter’s board and has authored numerous papers on pediatric GI advancements.
