The Future Aces program played a significant role in shaping Kush Patel’s values and aspirations, as its early integration into his school was supported by the principal.
From his initial involvement in middle school to receiving a scholarship later on, the program’s emphasis on service, empathy, courage and attitude has guided him through his academic and professional career, leading to his residency in anesthesiology.
Drawing from his experience in medicine, Patel emphasizes several crucial attributes from the Future ACES Creed:
Empathy & Service
Patel emphasizes that empathy and service go hand-in-hand as fundamental attributes in healthcare, requirements for serving the community and caring for individuals during vulnerable times. In his words, “serving the community that I’m a part of, I’m able to take care of people in times that they’re not at their best and may be going through hardships.”
Courage
The practice of medicine, especially in specialties like anesthesiology, demands courage. Anesthesiologists often encounter critical situations where they must make swift, informed decisions. Patel states, that it is challening to make nuanced decisions under time constraints in order “to optimize individualized care because the needs are different” for each patient. It is a profession that requires one to take courage.
Attitude
In demanding professions like medicine, a positive attitude is crucial for navigating life’s challenges, mitigating burnout, and fostering resilience. Patel reflects on this, saying, “our outlook on life and how we perceive it really does help lay the foundation; [it] helped shape my journey early on [and] set myself up for success.”
When reminiscing about his journey, he recognizes a significant evolution in his perspective, particularly regarding what drives his passion for healthcare.
“At first I would’ve said [the driving force to becoming a doctor] was the fascination I had with the pharmacology and the biology of things, the interaction of different diseases, but I think that has changed with time,” he notes.
Now, “it’s the one-on-one interaction I have with the people, whether it’s my colleagues, whether it’s the people I’m caring for because I think human connection is what really drives us forward, and so I would say that is probably the biggest joy that I get from the work that I do.”
Drawing from his own experience of being introduced to the Creed during middle school, Patel’s advice to aspiring leaders emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community.
He recommends finding “skills that you’re good at or skills you want to work on, like-minded people to support you, and you pursue it because you really enjoy it; then that in itself can be a driving factor to your leadership.” He acknowledges the challenges of leadership but stresses:
“if you just put yourself out there and try things that you like, then you will probably naturally find success. And even if you don’t, the fact that you’re doing it…takes courage. And that’s part of, again, the Future ACES Creed.”
These attributes, cultivated through experiences and reflection, form a foundation for a fulfilling and impactful life, both within and beyond the realm of medicine. While still appreciative of the leadership recognition he received, Patel reminds young people that “you don’t necessarily need an award and recognition to be a leader,” asserting that true leadership stems from believing in oneself.