Grove City Medical Center News
GCMC Welcomes Pediatrician,
Mranali Sawardekar-Patel, DO
If the name Sawardekar-Patel sounds familiar, it should. Mranali Sawardekar-Patel, daughter of Drs. Arun and Shubhada Sawardekar, grew up in Grove City and has recently returned to the area to open a pediatric practice. When asked about this move, she said, "I’m very happy to finally be back home. I enjoyed going away for Medical School and residency, but always knew that I would come back. Having grown up with parents who were both physicians, it was natural for me to select medicine for my vocation."
When asked why she chose pediatrics she said "Children under the age of 18 are very different than adults, I learned this in medical school and from my dad. To now have the ability to serve the children in my community is a wonderful blessing."
Although Dr. Sawardekar-Patel has settled into her new pediatric practice in Slippery Rock, change is still in the air. By the beginning of the new year she expects to move her practice
Spruce Street Commons, 202 Spruce Street
into the new Spruce Street Commons office building off of Kelly Boulevard, next to the Giant Eagle. The new office will be one of the leading pediatric offices is this area. Not only will it offer many child friendly amenities, but also some of the most cutting edge technology. Ground was broken this past summer with the goal of opening in early 2005.
Hospital president and CEO Anthony Zelenka, comments, "We are very pleased that Dr. Sawardekar-Patel has joined the GCMC Medical Staff. The Slippery Rock area has needed a pediatrician for quite some time and Dr. Sawardekar-Patel will meet an important need in that area. She has already become involved in the community as she was appointed the physician for the Slippery Rock Area School District. Dr. Sawardekar-Patel is a highly qualified pediatrician. She earned her bachelors degree from Washington University, St. Louis, MO, and her Medical degree from the University of Health Sciences, Kansas City, MO. She subsequently completed a 1 year internship at Des Peres Hospital, St. Louis, MO, followed by a 3 year pediatric residency at the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, OK."
Dr. Sawardekar-Patel will hold a Flu Vaccine Clinic for children ages 6 months through 18 years on Thursday, November 18th. Please note that vaccines are limited so to ensure that your child will be immunized, parents should call the office by November 10th to reserve a vaccine. The cost of the immunization will be $15.00. She notes, "The flu vaccine is very important to stay healthy for school. It’s especially important for children who are considered ‘high risk’ due to ongoing medical conditions, such as asthma, chronic lung disease, and children who are immunocompromised." Children who spend time with grandparents who have chronic illness should also be immunized to minimize the spread of the flu to loved ones.
Dr. Sawardekar- Patel is now accepting new patients ages newborn through adolescence. She is a participating provider in Blue Cross Blue Shield, UPMC, and Intergroup and is awaiting credentialing by many other plans.
She concludes, "Children are special people with unique healthcare needs, not merely ‘little adults,’ and should not be treated as such. As a new hometown pediatrician, I am dedicated to providing the highest quality pediatric care to all children. Parents are more than welcome to stop by and meet with me and my staff. I would love the opportunity to get acquainted and address any of your concerns."
