Full Name
Shailen Patel

What year did you leave John Lyon (Class of)?
1983

What did you do after leaving John Lyon?
Attended Medical School at the University of Aberdeen from 1983-1988; House Officer and Sr. House Officer at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary 1988-1991; Resident in General Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine 1992-1996; Clinical Instructor in General Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine 1995-1996; Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Adenovirus-mediated gene therapy at Weill Medical College at Cornell University 1996-1998; Resident in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Medical College at Cornell University and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 1998-2000; Assistant Professor of Surgery at Weill Medical College at Cornell University 2000-2001. Since then I have held various positions as a Consultant in Cardiothoracic Surgery in the USA in both the private and hospital-based sectors.

Can you describe what you have done in your career so far?
Assistant Professor of Surgery at Weill Medical College at Cornell University. Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon in practices in Ny, CT, MI and OH.

How did your experience at John Lyon prepare you for/or shape your future?
Provided a broad and varied experience with exposure to both the arts and sciences in order to make an informed choice regarding higher education at the University level.

What has been your proudest achievements so far?
Starting, forming and accelerating the Thoracic Oncology Department at the Lacks Cancer Center in Grand Rapids, MI.

What was your fondest memory from being at John Lyon?
French lessons with late Mr. Irvine who encouraged me to study Medicine in Scotland. Lunch in the cloisters with friends and interactions with Teachers.

Are you still involved with the School and if so, in what way and why is it important for you to be involved in this way?
I mentor and visit to speak with students. I feel my experiences may enlighten certain students and help guide them towards the appropriate path in the vast expanse that is healthcare.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a current pupil?
Never give up on your dreams. Use rejection as a tool to enhance your resolve. find means by which rejection is converted to acceptance.