OLDER GENERATIONS who grew up in Grand Rapids or spent their formative college years here and stayed on, remember a very different city; one characterized by a sleepy downtown, a modest number of medical facilities, and a notable absence of diversity. Today, it’s distinguished by remarkable progress that always seems to come up in conversations with visitors or newcomers: A booming dining scene, a vibrant metropolis with events and activities galore, and a sprawling medical community that attracts some of the best from around the globe. Grand Valley State’s expansion in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s and the founding of the Van Andel Institute in 1996 were both catalysts for the immense growth in healthcare that has occurred over the last two decades—especially in what is now the Medical Mile and in the many other prestigious institutions throughout the city. The esteemed reputation the region has gained is evidenced by the more than 500 Top Docs who have earned this designation by peer selection, as well as countless other doctors, physicians, technicians, and leaders who contribute to a thriving healthcare ecosystem. In this issue, you’ll see the names and profiles of these individuals, their practices, and the organizations they belong to. For this special feature, we’re highlighting the role and influence the immigrant population plays in elevating Grand Rapids as a beacon in healthcare and a place where some of the brightest medical minds gravitate. We had the opportunity to speak with a few doctors who immigrated to the United States and eventually found their way to Grand Rapids where they now call home. Their stories are all different, of course, but there are common themes that came up in each conversation.
56
G R A N D R A P I D S M A G A Z I N E • J U LY/ A U G U S T 2 0 2 4
DR. NEHAL
LAKHANI Nehal Lakhani, MD, PhD is Director of Clinical Research at START Midwest and a board-certified specialist in developmental cancer therapeutics at The Cancer & Hematology Centers (CHC). He is among the 14 recognized Top Docs from CHC. Dr. Lakhani was born and grew up in India, where his father was a pharmaceutical drug representative and many of his relatives were physicians. His time spent in their clinics and his exposure to the pharmaceutical industry fueled his interest in drug development and research. He eventually applied to a PhD program in the United States and was placed at the National Cancer Institute. After completing his PhD, he did his residency in Grand Rapids, went back to Bethesda for oncology training, then, a few years later, returned to Grand Rapids. In 2015, he initiated the START Midwest clinical trials program. “Today, we're arguably the largest program in all of the Midwest in terms of the number of patients we treat,” Dr. Lakhani said. “I couldn’t have done this anywhere other than Grand Rapids, because I wouldn't have had the opportunity to build something like this from the ground up.” When asked about the importance of having immigrant doctors in the medical system, Dr. Lakhani first noted the tremendous shortage of physicians, as well as the large, aging Baby Boomer population in need of care. Doctors from foreign countries simply fill a need. But, moreover, he stressed what many immigrants bring to the table. “Foreign medical graduates are highly intelligent people who have decided to take a very risky or adventurous approach to their lives; they've decided to move to a foreign country, adjust to a different culture and language, and navigate all the issues that come along with immigration,” Dr. Lakhani said. “So, you can look at all the foreign graduates and surmise that most of these people do pretty well, in terms of achieving the goals they set themselves.”