Medicine
Trained in primary care internal medicine across academic, public hospital, and veterans’ health settings, with a focus on continuity and complex chronic care.
Internal Medicine · New Jersey
Ruchi Patel, MD
Physician, engineer, and inventor bringing systems thinking to human-centered care.
My point of view
Better care begins with seeing the whole system—and the whole person.
My path from chemical engineering to internal medicine shaped the way I practice: look closely, question the default, and design for real life.
I am especially drawn to primary care, where thoughtful relationships and well-built systems can change the trajectory of a person’s health.
A multidisciplinary path
Science, service, and invention—connected by curiosity.
Engineering
Built a foundation in chemical and biomedical engineering, then brought analytical thinking into healthcare operations, data, and clinical decision-making.
Innovation
Invented a semi-automatic suturing device and holds a U.S. patent—an early lesson in turning an unmet clinical need into a practical solution.
Education & training
Rigorous foundations in medicine and engineering.
2023–2026
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Brooklyn, New York
Internal Medicine Residency · Primary Care Track
Trained across Kings County Hospital Center—a major Level I trauma and 1,000+ bed safety-net hospital—the Brooklyn VA, and University Hospital at Downstate.
2014–2018
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
New York, New York
B.E. in Chemical Engineering · Minor in Biomedical Engineering
An interdisciplinary education at one of the nation’s most selective engineering schools.
Distinction
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Engineering
The Cooper Union
The school’s signature graduating honor for engineering excellence, awarded to one graduate in each major.
Industry & innovation
Leading where analytics, engineering, and healthcare converge.
2018–2019
Bristol Myers Squibb
Data Analytics Project Manager · Princeton, New Jersey
Led a nine-person analytics team at a global biopharmaceutical leader, translating statistics and business intelligence on Eliquis, Opdivo, and Orencia for international executives. Directed an AWS cloud migration that reduced manual effort, time, and costs by 60%.
2016
Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson
R&D Engineering Co-op · Somerville, New Jersey
Advanced R&D on Ethicon’s innovative STRATAFIX Spiral Knotless Tissue Control Devices. Configured ultrasonic welding to improve tensile-strength predictability by more than 40%, reducing failure rates in clinical application.
Fellowship
Stanford University
University Innovation Fellow
Selected for interdisciplinary innovation training in Agile and entrepreneurial frameworks. Hosted an immersive winter session for Cooper Union students addressing global challenges at the intersection of art, architecture, and engineering.
Selected highlights
A career built across disciplines.
MD
Primary care perspective
Clinical training grounded in prevention, chronic disease management, and care for diverse communities.
US
Patent holder
Co-inventor of a semi-automatic suturing machine.
BE
Engineer by training
Graduated with the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Engineering.
Areas of focus
Where I bring the most energy.
Preventive & longitudinal care
Making healthcare more proactive, personal, and useful between moments of illness.
Care delivery design
Building workflows and teams that support excellent care without losing the human connection.
Physician entrepreneurship
Exploring independent, sustainable models that give physicians more room to care well.
Get in touch
Start a conversation.
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