Provider Spotlight: Welcoming Dr. Patel to NEAAI
We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Patel to the NEAAI team, seeing patients at our Worcester office. Board certified in Allergy, Immunology, and Internal Medicine, Dr. Patel brings a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to caring for patients of all ages from newborns to older adults. At the Worcester office, Dr. Patel treats a broad range of allergic and immunologic conditions, including asthma, food and environmental allergies, eczema, anaphylaxis, drug allergies, and immunodeficiencies. A typical day includes allergy skin testing and working closely with patients to build treatment plans tailored to their individual needs and lifestyles. Dr. Patel’s dual training in Internal Medicine and Allergy/Immunology shapes how she approaches every patient. Her internal medicine background helps her consider how other health conditions and medications might be contributing to a patient’s symptoms, while her specialized allergy training allows for more targeted, effective care. Together, the two disciplines let her build treatment plans that account for the whole patient, not just a single set of symptoms. Why allergy and immunology? Dr. Patel completed her fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at Johns Hopkins and her residency at Beth Israel Deaconess. What draws her to the field is the chance to meaningfully improve a patient’s quality of life, conditions like asthma, eczema, and food allergies can affect everything from a child’s focus in school to an adult’s ability to enjoy a meal out with friends. With treatments like allergy immunotherapy and biologic medications, she’s able to help patients not just manage symptoms, but in some cases work toward long-term remission. One experience from her training has stuck with her: a patient who had struggled for years with severe dog and pollen allergies underwent immunotherapy and, over time, saw her symptoms dramatically improve. That patient had always wanted a dog but assumed her allergies made it impossible, after completing treatment, she was finally able to adopt one. It’s the kind of outcome that reflects why Dr. Patel finds this specialty so rewarding. What she’s seeing in patients today: Dr. Patel notes that environmental allergies, asthma, eczema, and food allergies are the conditions she sees most often, and that allergy seasons have been getting longer and more intense in recent years, likely tied to changing air quality and pollen exposure as the climate shifts. She’s also observed how allergic conditions evolve with age. In young children, eczema and food allergies tend to be more prominent, while environmental allergies and asthma often become more common as kids get older. In adults, environmental allergies, asthma, and chronic sinus symptoms are frequent reasons for a visit, though food allergies can develop or persist well into adulthood. Because presentation changes over time, Dr. Patel emphasizes an individualized approach for every patient. Clearing up a common misconception: drug allergy labels One issue Dr. Patel is especially attentive to is the over-labeling of drug allergies, particularly penicillin. She points out that more than 90% of people told years ago that they were allergic to penicillin may no longer be allergic or may never have had a true allergy at all. Carrying an inaccurate allergy label can limit treatment options and lead to the use of less effective, broader-spectrum antibiotics. Her advice: if you’ve been told you’re allergic to a medication but were never formally evaluated, talk to an allergist. A thorough history and, when appropriate, testing or an oral challenge, can determine whether the allergy is still there. “You don’t just have to live with it” Dr. Patel often hears patients assume that allergies and asthma are simply something to endure. In reality, she notes, there are many effective treatments available, and the immune system can change over time, meaning people can outgrow old allergies or develop new ones at any age. Getting an accurate diagnosis is key before unnecessarily cutting out foods, medications, or other triggers. Practical advice for families: For families managing food allergies or anaphylaxis risk, Dr. Patel emphasizes preparation: having a clear plan for what to do if a reaction occurs, and making sure epinephrine is readily available with everyone knowing when and how to use it. A solid plan, she says, gives families confidence and lets children take part in everyday activities without feeling limited by their allergy. She also offers practical, preventive strategies for seasonal allergies by keeping windows closed during high-pollen seasons, showering or changing clothes after time outdoors, and for patients with pet allergies, keeping pets out of the bedroom and using HEPA air filtration. These steps can help on their own or alongside medication and allergy immunotherapy. Beyond the office: Outside the clinic, Dr. Patel enjoys cooking vegetarian food, reading, and hiking with her dogs. She finds that these personal interests help her relate to patients and appreciate how much allergies can affect the everyday things people love: food, pets, time outdoors. It’s something she keeps in mind when building treatment plans, with the goal of helping patients manage their allergies while still enjoying the foods, activities, and experiences that matter most to them. Dr. Patel also values being part of NEAAI’s multi-site practice, which allows for close collaboration with fellow physicians across all seven Massachusetts locations, as well as with local Worcester-area primary care providers and specialists, ensuring patients have access to coordinated care and the resources they need. She particularly appreciates the diversity of the Worcester community and the opportunity to learn from patients’ different backgrounds and perspectives. Ready to be seen? If you’ve been putting off seeing an allergist, Dr. Patel wants you to know you don’t have to simply live with symptoms that are affecting your quality of life. Whether it’s allergies, asthma, food allergies, or another condition, there are often more treatment options available than people realize and an allergist can help identify the cause and the right path forward. Dr. Patel is now welcoming new patients at our Worcester office. Explore NEAAI’s Massachusetts locations and contact our scheduling team to discuss an appointment. Click here to view Dr. Patel’s profile! NEAAI Services include:
