How to Become a Gastroenterologist

Dr. Ross Kopelman had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Kumkum Patel, a Gastroenterologist, about her journey to become a Gastroenterologist. In this video, you will discover tips you need to become a Gastroenterologist and prepare for residency.

Bio for Dr. Kumkum Patel:
Dr. Kumkum Sarkar Patel is a double-board certified gastroenterologist practicing in downtown Chicago, with special training in the treatment of functional bowel syndromes and upper and lower GI motility disorders. Using her Instagram platform @dr.gut_motility, she is raising awareness for IBS and motility diseases and hoping to educate, empower, inspire, and mentor!

Reason Dr. Kumkum Patel pursued Gastroenterologist:
I wanted to use my hands AND my brain to solve problems. I shadowed other gastroenterologists

Education:
College - Virginia Commonwealth University
Graduate School Attended - Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice
Medical School - St. George's University School of Medicine
Residency - NYU-Winthrop Hospital
Fellowship - University of Illinois at Chicago

Typical Day in the life of a Gastroenterologist:
I wake up at 5 am to work out, at 6 am I wake up my son to get him ready for school and drop him off by 7:15 am and head to work. On my inpatient days, I round on the hospital patients and do inpatient scopes. On my clinic days, I see about 15-20 patients in a full day or do a half day of scopes and a half day of clinic patients.

Residency training:
3 years of IM training, lots of research during those years to get into GI, as it one of the most competitive specialties. 3 years of general GI fellowship which is intense (long calls, no post-call day) and exposure to different subspecialties within GI.

What type of advice do you give to those aspiring to be in Gastroenterologist:
Do a lot of research, find a mentor, and be honest with what you want in your career---do all these EARLY in residency

If Dr. Kumkum Patel picked another field:
Working for a Biotech company like Genentech because I have a degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Видео How to Become a Gastroenterologist канала MedChatMonday