Payal Patel, MD

Payal Patel, MD, is a board-certified physician in both Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. She completed her medical education at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Medicine through its accelerated six-year B.A./M.D. program. Dr. Patel went on to complete her residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Illinois–Chicago, followed by a fellowship in Critical Care Medicine at Emory University.

With dual training in emergency and critical care, Dr. Patel brings a comprehensive and seamless approach to patient care—guiding patients skillfully from their initial presentation in the emergency department through their most critical moments in the intensive care unit. Her clinical philosophy centers on compassion, communication, and continuity of care. She is deeply committed to forming meaningful relationships with patients and their families, offering not only expert medical treatment but also empathy and emotional support during times of vulnerability.

Dr. Patel has a background in clinical research, particularly in conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. She has contributed significantly to evidence-based medicine through her work with the American Society of Hematology on their venous thromboembolism guidelines and with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), where she played an integral role in developing and subsequently updating the society’s COVID-19 diagnostic guidelines.In addition to her clinical and research work, Dr. Patel is passionate about medical education and takes pride in mentoring the next generation of physicians and advanced practice providers.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Patel finds joy in hiking, photography, reading, and exploring new destinations around the world.

Certifications & Affiliations

• Board Certified, Critical Care Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine
• Board Certified, Emergency Medicine, American Board of Emergency Medicine
• Member, American College of Chest Physicians
• Member, Society of Critical Care Medicine
• Member, Society of Academic Emergency Medicine
• Member, American Academy of Emergency Medicine

• Most Outstanding Fellow Award - Emory University Critical Care Medicine Fellowship, 2021
• Alpha Omega Alpha, 2016
• University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Medicine Dean’s Flarsheim Scholarship 2014, 2016
• American College of Physicians Physical Diagnosis Award, 2014 
• OCA-Chicago Scholarship, 2011
• Pursuit in Medical Studies Scholarship, 2011
• Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, 2010

• Pulmonary & Critical Care of Atlanta

• Northside Hospital Atlanta