28 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | JUNE 2018 For Arizona Heart 360 founder and CEO Dr. Sarika Desai, the practice of medicine is personal — both in her approach and in her professional path. It was her mother’s diagnosis with a serious cardiac condition, and the cardiologist that saved her mother’s life, that served as the initial inspiration for her career. “We almost lost her three times and it was a cardiologist who saved her,” Desai said. “In fact, it was Mother’s Day and he had told his wife that he wanted to check on my mom in the hospital. My mom actually was going south right then and there. He was the inspiration.” Now, she applies that family approach to her own medical practice. “I really wanted to take medicine back to what I felt like I grew up with, which was taking care of families — mothers and daughters and grandmothers. I just didn’t see that happening,” she said. “Unfortunately, in today’s political times there aren’t many of me, and a solo practice is really tough.” Desai decided to start her practice after facing physician burnout and realizing that the traditional medical model in Arizona wasn’t aligning with her values. She faced an overwhelming responsibility that didn’t allow her time for herself, as well as challenges that came from an almost entirely male-dominated environment. “At the beginning it seemed good, but after a while I started realizing that, especially females, we put our heads down. We are always resilient and willing to do things, but I really didn’t like the way medicine was being practiced in Arizona,” she said. After taking time off to clear her head, Jamie Killin | Web Editor DR. SARIKA DESAI Cardiologist and CEO of Arizona Heart 360 OFFICE DOORS {leadership}

JUNE 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 29 sustainable lifestyle magazine ArizonA’s only Your conscious life M a g a z i n e Promoting sustainable businesses for over 7 years Our mission is to educate, inspire and empower our readership to make eco-conscious decisions for a healthy life and healthy planet. advertise in the only eco-conscious lifestyle magazine in arizona and reach conscious, brand-loyal consumers 480-840-1589 | sales@greenlivingaz.com she began a temporary position where she found she had patients traveling up to two hours just to see her. The phenomenon helped her to realize she had the potential to make a significant difference in the industry — but not everyone agreed. “Everyone was kind of like, ‘You know, she’s not going to survive. She’s going to have to close up the business’ or ‘She’ll never make it.’ Lo and behold, we are making it and we are alive,” she said. “Word of mouth is spreading and people know that we spend time with our patients.” Time with her patients is one of the main things that sets Desai apart — she averages 15 patients a day while many of her colleagues see 50. She also focuses on preventive cardiology — a rarity in Arizona. Her approach includes more time with patients, more in-depth evaluations and fewer unnecessary tests and procedures. “Patients want more. They’re not dumb,” she said. “Look at how many people are going to naturopathic physicians or alternative healers. Patients are tired of routine medication and routine care. They want more. I think we’re at the beginning of a revolution in medicine.” While Desai isn’t sure what the future of her practice might look like, she knows she’ll continue to fight for the well-being of her patients through an emphasis on preventive care and a personalized, well-informed approach. “My goal, my passion, is to keep patients out of the hospital. You have to practice what you preach,” she said. “I know I’m one person but I firmly believe in Gandhi’s words. You have to be the change, and it has to start with you.” Jamie Killin is a writer, editor and public relations specialist. Her work has been published by Thrillist, Phoenix Magazine, The Arizona Republic, So Scottsdale! and more. She is also the Public Relations and Marketing Manager for Frontdoors Media’s sister company Evans Communications. She is a media enthusiast with experience in all things news, marketing, public relations and social media.