Sejal S. Patel
About Sejal S. Patel
Sejal S. Patel is a Senior Research Historian at the National Institutes of Health and a Lead Healthcare/Health Policy Analyst at MITRE, with extensive experience in healthcare research and policy. She holds a PhD in History and Sociology of Science from the University of Pennsylvania and has published work on healthcare practices and community medicine.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Sejal S. Patel has served as a Senior Research Historian at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2009. In this role, she focuses on historical analysis related to healthcare practices and policies. Her work contributes to understanding the evolution of medical research and its implications for current health outcomes. Patel's position at NIH allows her to engage with a wide range of healthcare topics, emphasizing the importance of historical context in shaping contemporary health policies.
Current Role at MITRE
Since 2012, Sejal S. Patel has held the position of Lead Healthcare / Health Policy Analyst at MITRE in Washington, DC. In this capacity, she advises on health policy issues, particularly concerning the use of electronic medical records and health information exchanges. Her expertise supports the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in enhancing health outcomes through improved data management and policy implementation.
Education and Expertise
Sejal S. Patel earned her PhD in History and Sociology of Science from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied from 2000 to 2007. Prior to that, she obtained a BA in Science Studies from Hampshire College, completing her degree from 1994 to 1998. Her educational background provides a strong foundation for her research and analytical work in healthcare and policy, particularly in understanding the historical context of medical practices.
Previous Experience in Medical Research
Before her current roles, Sejal S. Patel worked as a Medical Research Coordinator at Baystate Medical Center from 1998 to 2000. This position involved coordinating research initiatives and supporting clinical studies, which enhanced her understanding of the operational aspects of medical research. This experience contributed to her later work in analyzing healthcare policies and practices.
Research Focus and Publications
Sejal S. Patel focuses on models of drug development and evaluates both effective and ineffective strategies within the field. She is currently working on a book project titled 'The Fat and Happy Town! The Roseto Study and the Community Ideal in American Medicine,' which critiques concepts of community medicine. Additionally, Patel has a history of writing about the influence of administrative and managerial infrastructure on research practices, both in the U.S. and internationally.