Livingston Doc Recognized for Health Care Contributions

A Livingston resident was among 10 doctors honored last month at the Essex County Freeholders Health Care Professionals Recognition Ceremony.

Dr. Hemant G. Patel was recognized during the May 15 event that was aimed to recognize the commitment, dedication and contributions of health care professionals who provide critical care and support to their patients, the community and to society in general.

The event also honored Patrick S. Anderson, MD, FACOG, of South Orange; Renee E. Baskerville, MD, of Montclair; Nicholas A. Cannarozzi, MD, FACP, of Roseland; F. Kennedy Gordon, MD, of South Orange; Arvind K. Grover, MD, of Randolph; Pamela Grover, MD, of Maplewood; Gertrude E. Jacobs, DPM, of East Orange; Neil N. Jasey, Jr., of Montclair; and Martin L. Waltz, DMD, of Orange.

“Tonight we express our thanks and appreciation to health care professionals who do so much to improve and save the lives of Essex County residents every day," Freeholder President Blonnie Watson said. 

"Our honorees are people who work under stressful and emotional conditions, yet somehow manage to hold themselves together for the sake of their patients… professionals who call upon the lessons learned from their extensive training and experience in order to comfort and heal those in their care when they are most vulnerable. For all you do for us and our loved ones, you deserve all the credit in the world.”

Freeholder Carol Clark recalled how the event began, many years ago, with a celebration of nurses and since then event has grown to include a wider range of health care professionals including doctors, pharmacists, dentists and other practitioners. 

“To see all of you sitting here, and to see how this has grown exponentially over the years, I am just elated and thank you all for accepting our recognition tonight," Clark said.

Patel has been in private practice since 1989 and has offices in Irvington, Maplewood, Newark and West Orange.  He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Geriatric Medicine.  

He earned his undergraduate and MBBS medical degrees in his native India; began his Internal Medicine residency in the US at the United Hospital Medical Center and was appointed Chief Medical Resident.  He served his Pulmonary Fellowship at UMDNJ, Newark Beth Israel Hospital, East Orange VA Hospital and University Hospital in Newark; and in critical care medicine at the Mayo Clinic (MN).  

“It’s great to have a friend as a doctor, and a doctor as a friend, who has been not only a friend to me and my family, but to the entire Irvington community," Freeholder D. Bilal Beasley said, speaking about his honoree, Dr. Patel.

Patel actively promotes Indian culture in the United States through the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), where he served as national president in 2007-08, and has been deeply engaged in its philanthropic efforts in the United States and India as the former national and current local chairman of its charitable foundation.  He also supports Indo-US relations and the Indo-US Nuclear Agreement as Chairman and Founder of the Indian American Committee.  Among his many awards is the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor (2010), which pays tribute to the immigrant experience and individual achievement. 

Patel lives in Livingston with his wife, Nayana, and they have two sons, Rahul and Raj, both of whom are medical residents.

“I’ve received other awards during my career, but this one is very special, because it is from you, my neighbors right here in Newark and Essex County, where I started my professional career many years ago, where I have my practice, and where I live," Patel said.

He also expressed his thanks to the freeholders for all the improvements he’s seen across the county. 

"You are doing wonderful things and have changed the face of Essex County," Patel said. “I, and all of my fellow honorees, are committed to Essex County and ready to pitch-in wherever we can to meet the health care needs of its residents.”