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Dr. Vishal Patel ‘12 Relationship-builder and healthcare leader for the underserved
Dr. Vishal Patel ‘12 Relationship-builder and healthcare leader for the underserved

At GAC, Dr. Vishal was impacted by the kindness, creativity, and care of teachers like Mrs. Jami Denton and Mrs. JoAnn Waldrop. He was on the varsity soccer team for all four years of high school. Coach Thom Jacquet had a tremendous influence on his life and taught him invaluable life lessons beyond the game of soccer. He states, “my time at GAC allowed me to organically form a foundation blended with education, friendship and faith, from which I was able to flourish.”

After GAC, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Science from Georgia State University. Through an organization called Volunteers Around the World, he traveled to Bocas Del Toro in remote Panama to provide primary healthcare to those in need. This trip sparked his interest in taking care of others through healthcare. In 2019, he joined a Medical Mission team that traveled to Campeche, Mexico. In their 12 days there, their team provided eye care to over 1,000 underserved locals.

After graduating from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, he completed his residency in Ocular disease and Low vision at the Greenville, SC VAMC. Vishal began working at Milan Eye Center. The importance of giving back to the community was an integral part of his career choice. He mentions, “There is something very meaningful when giving life-changing healthcare to those that do not have the privilege to do so themselves. Choosing a profession that allows me to give back pushes me to maintain a level of perspective and gratitude throughout my life...”

Vishal’s seven-year journey at GAC began in 2005, when he was beginning the sixth grade. He recalls that the two teachers that made a big impact on his life in middle school were Mrs. Jami Denton and Mrs. JoAnn Waldrop. They taught with kindness and creativity, and cared about students. He remembers class being assigned to make parachutes and rockets as a part of exploring science and physics. They, then, had to test their creations to see if they worked with the right pressure and dynamics in front of the whole class. There was rarely a dull moment in Mrs Waldrop’s eighth grade science class.

Vishal was on the varsity soccer team for all four years of high school. Coach Thom Jacquet had a tremendous influence on his life and taught him invaluable life lessons beyond the game of soccer. His favorite memories were with his fellow teammates as they traveled around the state creating memories of a lifetime. Vishal states, “my time at GAC allowed me to organically form a foundation blended with education, friendship and faith, from which I was able to flourish.”

After graduating in 2012, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Science from Georgia State University. During his time at GSU, he joined a North Indian Dance Team. His team was invited to compete in various dance competitions throughout the nation. Then, Vishal traveled internationally with various groups. Through an organization called Volunteers Around the World, he traveled to Bocas Del Toro in remote Panama to provide primary healthcare to those in need. This trip sparked his interest in taking care of others through healthcare.

Afterwards, Vishal attended Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. At SCO, he was elected President of the Georgia Optometric Student Association and was selected by faculty and administration to be one of 10 student ambassadors. In 2019, he had the opportunity to join a Medical Mission team that traveled to Campeche, Mexico. This trip was one to remember. During their 12 days in Mexico their team provided eye care to over 1,000 underserved locals.

Upon graduation from SCO, he completed his residency in Ocular disease and Low vision at the Greenville, SC VAMC. Vishal recently began working at Milan Eye Center, specifically at their Buford location. The importance of giving back to the community was an integral part of his career choice. He mentions, “There is something very meaningful when giving life-changing healthcare to those that do not have the privilege to do so themselves. Choosing a profession that allows me to give back pushes me to maintain a level of perspective and gratitude throughout my life.”
 

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