Whether he’s treating young patients, guiding new doctors or building national research programs, pediatric gastroenterologist Ashish S. Patel, MD, is driven by one goal: moving pediatric care forward. As physician-in-chief, he brings energy, empathy and innovation to every part of his work—while keeping kids and families at the center of it all.
1.)What drew you to Phoenix Children’s? For me personally, it was about the opportunity to grow my personal leadership within a growing and thriving health system. We have grown the amount of research internally year over year and increased our presence on the national stage exponentially. We continue to do that with a focus on physician development and mentorship.
2.)You care deeply about education and mentorship. Why is that such a priority? Education pushes us forward—it keeps our physicians sharp, it challenges us to innovate and it builds a pipeline of future leaders. We can’t keep every fellow we train, but those who leave carry the Phoenix Children’s mission with them.
3.)What have you learned from patients or your team that has shaped your approach to care? Shared decision-making. In medicine, there’s rarely one perfect choice. I believe in leading with education and partnering with patients and families. The same applies to leadership— teams thrive when we listen, share concerns openly and move forward together.
4.)What makes you hopeful about the future of pediatrics? It’s a dynamic time. From research and novel therapeutics to improving the patient and family experience, we’re constantly evolving. I’m most excited by the chance to cure chronic disease and reimagine the care journey from start to finish.
5.)True or false: You’re a foodie? True! Phoenix is quickly becoming a great foodie spot, and I love discovering new restaurants. A few of my local favorites: Uchi, Buck & Rider and Little Miss BBQ. If you’ve got recommendations, let me know—I’m always hungry for more!
