Say Hello to Sarah Patel, MD!

August 8, 2022
Portrait of Leah Sanford in glasses, smiling against a gray background with a purple frame and award badge.

The Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) has the distinct honor of interviewing and highlighting the most extraordinary physicians in Arizona as part of our monthly Member Spotlight series. For the month of August, we are pleased to introduce to you Sarah Patel, MD. Dr. Patel is a board-certified adult and pediatric sleep medicine doctor, and she is the director and owner of the Sonoran Sleep Center in Glendale. Dr. Patel currently serves as the early career director on ArMA's Board of Directors.



 

Dr. Patel’s journey to a life in medicine is unique and inspiring, but perhaps most inspiring is her appreciation for the simple joys of life: family, cooking, and nature. If you know someone interested in pursuing medicine as a career, show them this interview and read more about Dr. Patel below 👇

What is one message you would give to your 18-year-old self?


You are not the same person you are at 18, 25, or 50. You change. My 18-year-old self could never have imagined that I would survive medical school and that I would have my own practice. One person may tell you that you will not be able to pursue your career of choice because of your grades. Continue to work towards your goals. There is not just one path to get to your destination. It is a winding path with many detours, on ramps and off ramps.

 

If you weren't a physician, what would you be up to right now?


I would have an internet cooking channel — testing and trying out different recipes!

 

What place would you most like to visit?


The place I would most like to visit is the Galapagos Islands!

 

What is the one accomplishment you're most proud of?


One of the reasons I decided to open my own practice was to provide quality care to improve sleep and optimize patients' overall health. I am most proud of my staff members, who have helped us continue to aspire to this goal daily. Our office works tremendously hard to help patients and address sleep disorders. We had the difficult and daunting task of opening a new practice mid-pandemic in 2020. Looking back, we had so many obstacles, but we continue to pursue our mission and have fun!

 

What inspires you?


What inspires me most is my family. My husband encourages me to pursue my goals and motivates me to continue striving toward excellence. My daughter, I want her to have more equal opportunities in any career she decides to pursue. My parents worked tremendously hard to provide my sister and me with a wonderful life — my sister who teaches me patience and perseverance.

 

What do you like best about living in Arizona?


Arizona has a unique landscape with a natural beauty that I have learned to appreciate even with its hot summers! It is really a hiker's paradise with different elevations and climates.

 

What prompted you to become involved in organized medicine?


During medical school and residency training to become a physician, we are responsible for an incredible amount of medical knowledge, yet the importance of advocacy and medical economics is overlooked. We are responsible for human life, yet many decisions on how we practice medicine are made by our governing bodies. As a result, I became a member of ArMA with the hope of being more involved in supporting my fellow physician colleagues and advocating for the best care for our patients. 

ADHS Issues Standing Orders for Flu, COVID-19 Vaccine Access

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
Statewide orders keep pharmacists and physicians authorized to vaccinate Arizonans amid uncertainty over the next ACIP meeting. Statewide Orders Cover the 2026-27 Flu & COVID Season The Arizona Department of Health Services has issued statewide standing orders supporting access to the 2026-27 influenza and COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Arizonans seeking a flu or COVID-19 vaccine should contact their physician or pharmacy to confirm availability. Why the Orders Were Issued Arizona pharmacists may administer vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for international travel, or vaccines authorized under a prescription, including a physician-issued public health standing order. With the timing of the next ACIP meeting uncertain, ADHS worked with the Arizona Board of Pharmacy to issue statewide standing orders for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which function as a prescription allowing pharmacists and physicians across Arizona to administer them to anyone who wants one. ADHS Medical Advisor Weighs In "Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect our communities. The Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines help us limit the spread of disease, reduce pressure on our healthcare system and reduce costs," said Dr. Richard Carmona, ADHS public health medical advisor and the 17th U.S. Surgeon General. "We have issued these standing orders to ensure safe and timely access to the vaccines in alignment with scientific and evidence-based guidance." What Arizonans Should Know The standing orders do not require every pharmacy to offer vaccinations, and they do not guarantee insurance coverage for administration. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan, so Arizonans should check with their insurance provider before scheduling an appointment. 

Arizona Asks Supreme Court to Halt Prison Health Care Takeover

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
State attorneys seek an emergency stay after lower courts reject bids to delay receivership of the prison health care system. State Makes a Last-Ditch Appeal Attorneys for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry asked the U.S. Supreme Court this week to delay a court-ordered receivership of the state's prison health care system. The request comes after both a federal district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause the takeover. In the recent application, former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, a representative of the department, argued that the state deserves more time to make its case before surrendering control of its operations, including oversight of its employees and health care budget. Roots of the Case The dispute began in 2012 when inmates sued the department, alleging the prison system's inadequate medical, mental health, and dental care amounted to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. The case went through years of litigation and a failed settlement agreement. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver ruled that the health care system was "grossly inadequate." The court ordered the prison healthcare system to comply with more than 150 "quality indicators," but according to court-appointed monitors, the department failed to comply with 131 of the measures. In light of this finding, Silver named Annette Chambers-Smith, former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, to take over as receiver effective Oct. 19. Arguments on Both Sides Clement argues receivership should be the last resort and that Silver moved to it too quickly. He asserts that the department has made measurable progress, including growing its health care staffing by more than 50%, expanding substance-use treatment access, and adopting a new care model. Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project, which represents the roughly 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona prisons, called the department's request a "Hail Mary" and said Silver had given the department years of opportunities to comply before ordering receivership. What Happens Next The Supreme Court has not yet set a deadline for the plaintiffs to respond to the stay request. Separately, the 9th Circuit is now reviewing the merits of the receivership order itself. The department filed its opening brief on Sept. 15, and the plaintiffs' response is due Oct. 15. Information in this article was sourced from the Arizona Mirror .