For Urvi Patel, DO, MPH, a hematology and oncology fellow at the GW Cancer Center, the path to medicine has been shaped by advocacy, curiosity, and a sustained commitment to improving how patients experience cancer care. Her appointment as a GRACE Patient Education Ambassador represents a defining moment in that journey, one she describes as both humbling and deeply meaningful.
“I am genuinely thrilled,” Patel said. “When I was accepted, I was surprised, but also very grateful, because this is something I find very meaningful.” For Patel, the opportunity to contribute to patient education is not simply an academic pursuit; it is a personal calling rooted in years of clinical experience and lived insight.
Patel’s connection to George Washington University began during her undergraduate years, when she initially pursued political science but later discovered a stronger interest in health policy. “I came here thinking I wanted to build a future in political science,” she recalled. “On the way, I found myself more and more drawn to health policy.” That shift led her to complete a degree in public health, where she began to see the broader systems that shape patient outcomes.
As she approached graduation, Patel began to see her role in health care more clearly. While her training in public health had given her a strong understanding of systems and policy, she wanted to engage more directly with patients and their care. That shift in perspective led her to pursue medicine.
“That’s when I learned that it’s so important to advocate for people and patients who can’t advocate for themselves,” Patel said. “In order to help patients and their caregivers, you need to listen, deeply listen, to them.” This principle of meeting patients with empathy and understanding continues to guide her clinical approach.
Throughout medical school and residency, Patel sought opportunities that built upon her commitment to access and equity. She participated in street medicine initiatives, bringing care directly to underserved communities, and led quality improvement efforts to identify gaps in care. “Instead of trying to solve problems one patient at a time, I want to develop more global solutions that can help a larger population,” she said. These experiences reinforced her interest in systems-based approaches while maintaining a strong focus on individual patient needs.
In fellowship, Patel encountered both the complexity of oncology and the emotional weight carried by patients and families. A personal experience with a family member’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis further deepened her perspective. Despite access to extensive written materials, she witnessed firsthand how overwhelming the process could be.
“They had this wonderful binder with all the information, but they still felt overwhelmed,” Patel said. “And I saw the same thing in clinic. A cancer diagnosis brings up so many emotions, including a feeling of loss of control. It’s hard to keep everything straight, and that’s when advocating for your patients becomes so critical.”
This observation became a driving force behind her interest in patient education. When she learned about the GRACE Patient Education Ambassador Program through a colleague, Patel immediately saw how its mission aligned with her goals. “Between my personal experience and what I see in clinic, I felt like this was a calling for me,” she said. “Providing patient education so they feel empowered.”
Patel approaches patient education as both an art and a science. She emphasizes the importance of tailoring communication to each individual, recognizing that patients absorb and process information differently. “Every patient is going to learn differently,” she explained. “Based on how they learn is how you teach them.”
Her strategy includes offering a range of resources, from concise printed materials to videos and podcasts, all drawn from credible sources. She also integrates both medical terminology and clear explanations, ensuring patients can understand and recognize key concepts. “It’s important to say the medical term, like neuropathy, but then explain that it’s numbness and tingling,” she noted. “Otherwise, they may not realize they’re experiencing it.”
Patel underscores that effective education is not confined to a single conversation. Instead, it requires a coordinated, team-based approach that reinforces information over time. “It’s not just the doctor,” she said. “It’s the nurse, the pharmacist, everyone along the way. Education doesn’t happen in one visit.” She also prioritizes open communication, inviting patients to ask questions and encouraging dialogue. “Not just ‘Do you have any questions,’ but ‘What questions do you have?’” she added.
Through her clinical work, Patel has identified key areas where patients often feel uncertain. One of the earliest challenges is understanding how cancer develops. “A lot of patients ask, ‘How did this happen to me? What did I do?’” she said. “It’s important to clarify that it’s not something they did, and to help them separate the disease from the person.”
Another area of focus is nutrition, which Patel sees as both essential and underserved in cancer care. “Every patient asks, ‘What should I be eating?’” she said. “There’s a lot of misinformation out there.” She hopes to develop clear, evidence-based resources that address common concerns while supporting patients through different stages of treatment. “Food affects their day-to-day lives, their quality of life, and their ability to connect with others,” she said. “If you can bring food back to people, you can add meaningful quality of life.”
Digital platforms are central to Patel’s vision for expanding patient education. She recognizes that patients increasingly turn to online sources, including social media and artificial intelligence tools, to understand their diagnoses. “If they’re getting information online, we need to be there providing evidence-based information,” she said. “We need to be that trusted resource that they can turn to when they have questions.”
Rather than discouraging patients from seeking information, Patel welcomes their engagement. “I actually love when patients come in with questions from Google or AI,” she said. “They’re engaging with their care and coming prepared.”
Looking ahead, Patel hopes her work will help patients feel more confident and supported as they navigate cancer care. She believes that clear, accessible education can restore a sense of agency during an otherwise overwhelming time. “People will forget what you said, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel,” she reflected. “If I can take the worst day in someone’s life and make them feel a little bit better, then I’ve done my job.”
Through her role as a GRACE Patient Education Ambassador, Patel is advancing the GW Cancer Center’s commitment to patient-centered care. Her work reinforces a simple but powerful principle: that education, delivered with clarity and compassion, can transform the patient experience.
