The values his parents emphasized on him were ‘Simple life, serving to others and devoting time to make a difference in society.’ He exactly did so and carved a niche not only for himself but became a role model for many Indian Americans – Dr. Tushar B. Patel.

Dr. Patel retired from the United States Department of Justice in 2020 after 27 years of exemplary service. In his role as the Chief of Health Care Quality and Risk Management at the Federal Bureau of Prisons headquarters in Washington, DC, Dr. Patel oversaw 122 Health Care Quality and Risk Management programs, including seven major Federal Medical Centers. His responsibilities extended to serving as the Program Manager for the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for the agency and as a long-standing member of the Department of Justice PAN Asia Board for more than a decade.

Born in Vadodara in 1963, Tushar’s childhood was spent in Nadiad, asmall town in mid Gujarat where he completed his education until 12th Grade. Community service and giving back to the community was part of his life due to his father Bhupendrabhai Patel who was a Master in Education and teacher by profession. His mother was a housewife who sacrificed her life in serving the large family and took care of his elder brother for more than five decades who was physically challenged.

Education was part of his family as both Grand Father and Father were a lifelong teacher, so education was very valuable in his upbringing. After medical graduation, he did Masters in Public Health. Romantic fling happened in his life after medical college in Nadiad during his internship. After marrying Sangeeta, he moved to the US in 1989.

Dr Patel has a clear view about upbringing of children. “Very simple with giving them autonomy and trusting them to be a better independent decision maker and a genuine person. Education is very important but do not get crazy about IVY league education but make them street smart than book smart and have them normal and humble human being and expect them to be a super genius. Also, it is very important to pass on our heritage to next generation, otherwise we will lose our values and culture.”

Dr Patel strongly believes that all Indian Americans ‘Need to learn and adopt from both countries and cultures. Both have some valuable traits and culture with unique traditions which can make them a better person.’

Besides, his Federal position, Dr. Patel provides leadership and oversight to various non-profit organizations in New Jersey. He serves as the President of Health Camp of NJ (HCNJ) since 2006, and provides his vision, expertise and dedicated services to lead a team of volunteers to conduct free Health Screening and Disease Prevention and Awareness Fairs in New Jersey.

Since 1999, the organization provided more than 12,500 free screenings for needy people in South Asian communities for various chronic diseases screening to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. Dr. Patel provides his service to Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey (IACFNJ) since 2005 and currently serving as the President. He also serving as the Chairperson of Global Organization of People of Indian origin (GOPIO) International Health Council since 2018. He is serving as the President of SGML Eye Hospital
USA, Inc. a non-profit to support an eye hospital in rural area near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Dr. Patel is also involved in Sai Temple Board of Trustees and serve as the Vice-President of Sai Pariwar, Sai Temple in North Brunswick, New Jersey. Lastly, Dr. Patel is a Board Member of Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy, a first charitable pharmacy in New Jersey.

Dr. Patel received numerous awards including the United States Department of Justice Community Service Award from the United States Attorney General in 2012, Community Leadership Award from Indian American Community and Indo-American Independent Pharmacy Owners in December 2013, Humanitarian Award from Rotary Club of Plainsboro in March 2014 and Community Service
Leadership Award from Rotary International District 71510 in March 2014. Dr. Patel received NJ State Governor’s Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Services in Health Care Professional of the Year category in June 2015. Dr. Patel was the one of the finalists in Volunteer of the Year Award category for NJ BIZ Health Care Heroes in June 2015 and Public Health Hero category in June 2016. Dr. Patel received NJBIZ Healthcare Heroes Award in Public Health Hero category. In November 2022, he received NJ State Senate Citation and Commendation for his community service in South Asian community for more than two decades.

As a community leader, Dr Patel has a valuable advice for people – “Some jealous and self-centered people in your life can change your thinking process and gives you challenges to make you a stronger person. Always avoid and stay away from selfish and negative people. I have learned so much in last 30 years from my community work and involvement. No matter what you do and how good you serve, the leaders always get criticism and negativity and you should never bother from negativity and move on with your work.”

Finally, the most important thing in his life is ‘Honesty, integrity, loyalty and good down to earth nature.’