She obtained her MD at Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Patel completed her one-year internship at University of Chicago Medical Center, Illinois, where also completed her diagnostic radiology and chief residency. This was followed by a musculoskeletal fellowship from UCSF. Prior to joining UCSF, Dr. Patel held an Assistant Professor position at the Loyola University Health System Department of Radiology, Musculoskeletal Section, in Maywood, Illinois.