Hillsdale Hospital Podiatry Care

Dr. Komal Patel

By Elyse Apel

For Dr. Komal Patel, podiatry isn’t just a specialty — it’s a calling rooted in compassion. Every day, Dr. Patel says she is driven by the simple but powerful desire of wanting to help people walk pain free.

“It is so satisfying to see my patients walk out of my office pain free,” she explains.

Since June, Dr. Patel has been working as a podiatrist at Hillsdale Hospital, which is the first time the hospital has offered podiatry care to the community. Her services include office visits, surgical podiatric care, and wound care to promote foot health for Hillsdale County.

In general, podiatry is the diagnosis and treatment of foot and ankle conditions. Some of the conditions that Dr. Patel sees include ingrown toenails, toe and foot deformities, foot and ankle injuries, lower leg and foot ulcers, and diabetic foot conditions.

“In my office, we focus on our patients’ feet and everything that is related to their feet,” Dr. Patel says. “It’s like a one-stop shop for your feet.”

Hillsdale Hospital is now prepared to offer a wide variety of high-quality treatments, including but not limited to custom orthotics, medication, injections, physical therapy or even surgical intervention. Dr. Patel also offers some same-day innovative procedures that can be life changing for patients by quickly and effectively reducing pain.

While Dr. Patel always knew she wanted to go into medicine, it took some time before she settled on podiatry.

“I spent some time getting a master’s in biology. During that time, I discovered podiatry. It was all very interesting to me and soon it just clicked,” she says.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Dr. Patel completed all of her education and medical training in her home state. She specialized in foot and ankle pathologies, receiving her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and later completing residency at St. Luke’s University Health Network.

Dr. Patel says that good communication with patients is one of the key values in her practice as a medical provider.

“Being honest with my patients is very important to me. I don’t go around in circles with them. Instead, I tell them honestly and they really appreciate that,” she says. “The patient always comes first, so communication with them and their medical team is very important.”

Currently, Dr. Patel sees patients in her office at the Three Meadows Medical Building two days per week, and spends one day at Hillsdale Hospital. There, she provides skilled podiatric surgical care and support for Hillsdale Hospital’s Center for Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. As a resource for the entire hospital, she also supports the hospital’s skilled nursing facilities.

Dr. Patel is quick to point out that podiatry is far more than treating in-grown nails and blisters.

“We’re trained in orthopedics, skin care, wound care, and vascular medicine,” she says. “The care we provide can be life changing for patients, sometimes with just one same-day, out-patient visit.”

She explains that she regularly sees patients with diabetes. Those patients are some of the most vulnerable and high-risk when it comes to foot-related complications.

“A lot of people don’t realize how serious foot issues can be, especially for diabetics with poor circulation or peripheral neuropathy,” Dr. Patel says. “I’ve seen patients come in with wounds they didn’t even know they had, and by the time they do, it’s sometimes too late to avoid amputation.”

To avoid those issues, Dr. Patel says it’s important not to ignore your feet, especially if you have diabetes. Even the smallest wounds can cause major issues if they are left untreated.

Preserving her patients’ mobility and quality of life is a top priority for Dr. Patel and her whole team. She explains that is why wound care is especially important to her as it can help prevent further infection, or even amputation, which is the last thing she wants for her patients.

“An amputation is a life-changing event,” she says. “I will always do everything I can to prevent amputation, while healing them as soon as possible.”

While quality care is critical, Dr. Patel says that education can also be an invaluable tool in preventative medicine.

“There’s a lack of awareness of foot health that can be challenging,” she says. “When so many patients have never even seen a podiatrist before, that makes communication even more critical.”

Outside of work, Dr. Patel says every day is full to the brim for her and her husband as parents to a five-month-old.

“Honestly, my days fly by,” she says. “Between seeing patients and spending time with my daughter, I feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day.” Still, Dr. Patel says she tries to find ways to spend time outdoors, try new restaurants, and live an active lifestyle.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel, call Hillsdale Surgical Group & Podiatry at (517) 437- 5350 or visit hillsdalehospital.com/podiatry to learn more.

You can also learn about Hillsdale Hospital’s surgical & podiatry services by visiting hillsdalehospital.com/surgery, or find out more about the Center for Advanced Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at hillsdalehospital.com/wound.