Physicians
Laura Patel, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Patel joined Transitions LifeCare in 2013 as medical director and now serves as Chief Medical Officer. She oversees the medical staff, the community-based and hospital-based palliative care programs, the Transitions Kids program and medical oversight for Transitions HospiceCare. Her interests include finding innovative care models to provide palliative care for people with advanced illness in collaboration with community partners, as well as ongoing efforts to reduce barriers to hospice care.
Professional Experience
Dr. Patel is a fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Minnesota and completed her residency in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in geriatric medicine at the University of North Carolina. She is board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. In 2017, Dr. Patel was named AHHC’s “Physician of the Year” and one of TBJ’s “40 Under 40.” In 2019, she was named as one of AAHPM’s Emerging Leaders. She served on the North Carolina IOM Taskforce on Serious Illness and remains active in the NC Serious Illness Coalition (NCSI). She also serves on the board of Resources for Seniors.
Current Appointments and Affiliations
- Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, UNC School of Medicine
- Admitting privileges at WakeMed Raleigh and WakeMed Cary
Degree
- University of Minnesota / MD
Residency
- UNC School of Medicine / Internal Medicine
Fellowship
- UNC School of Medicine / Geriatric Medicine
Certifications
- Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Memberships
- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)
- Center To Advance Palliative Care (CAPC)
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
Honors
- Fellow of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (FAAHPM)
- 2017 AHHC “Physician of the Year”
- 2017 TJB “40 Under 40”
- 2019 AAHPM “Emerging Leader Award”