Kashyap Patel committed to becoming a physician while still a teenager. From that moment onward, medicine was not merely a career path—it was a mission. After completing medical school and initial training in India, he returned to his hometown of Ahmedabad to start a private community oncology and hematology practice. Even then, his instinct was clear: care should be accessible, personal, and deeply rooted in the community.
His journey later brought him to the United States for advanced training. During this period, he earned board certifications in Hematology, Oncology, and Internal Medicine, along with prestigious ASCO Merit Awards during fellowship from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. While academic medicine tempted him, his heart remained anchored in community-based care—where real people face real struggles beyond textbooks and trial protocols.
That conviction eventually led him to South Carolina and to Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates, where he now serves as Chief Executive Officer, leading a team of eight providers dedicated to delivering high-quality oncology services close to home.
Kashyap Patel: Leading Beyond the Clinic
Kashyap Patel’s influence extends far beyond patient rooms. As President and former Vice President of the Community Oncology Alliance, he champions policies that protect independent cancer practices and patient access to affordable treatment. He chairs the Biosimilars Committee for COA and plays a pivotal role in shaping conversations around drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and sustainable oncology care models.
He serves as Chair-Elect for Clinical Affairs and Trustee for the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), where he was honored as a 2023 Fellow. His voice also resonates within the American Journal of Managed Care, where he is Associate Editor-in-Chief of its Evidence-Based Oncology publication.
But perhaps most striking is his engagement with policymakers. Kashyap Patel interacts regularly with members of the U.S. Congress, Senate, CMMI, and even the White House on healthcare policy affecting cancer patients. He has testified in state senate hearings, conducted Capitol Hill briefings on precision medicine and PBMs, and had his name permanently entered into congressional records on December 14, 2022, for his contributions to healthcare.
Few physicians balance clinical care and legislative advocacy so seamlessly.
Mastering Value-Based Care and Healthcare Economics
Long before value-based care became a buzzword, Kashyap Patel was designing and implementing it. He successfully led Oncology Care Model pilots with two payers, including the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), a division of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
His expertise spans healthcare economics, alternative payment models (AAPM), revenue cycle management, and payer collaboration. As a consultant Medical Director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and Palmetto GBA, he works directly with major insurers and government agencies to align financial sustainability with patient-centered care.
He also co-founded a revenue cycle management company that grew from just four employees to more than 700—a testament to his entrepreneurial vision and operational leadership.
Kashyap Patel: No One Left Alone (NOLA) – A Movement, Not Just a Foundation
If leadership defines his professional achievements, compassion defines his legacy.
Two years ago, Kashyap Patel launched the No One Left Alone (NOLA) Foundation, a nonprofit designed to ensure that disadvantaged cancer patients receive cutting-edge care regardless of financial hardship.
Through strategic partnerships and by breaking down philanthropic silos, NOLA connected 48% of CBCCA’s patient population with financial support for cancer medications during its pilot phase. Genomic testing rates increased from 30% to 85%, directly changing treatment plans for dozens of patients.
This was not charity. It was systems innovation.
“I am most proud of creating a pilot that is scalable and sustainable,” he has said. “All it requires is breaking the silos.”
NOLA stands as proof that community oncology can deliver precision medicine and social support—when collaboration replaces fragmentation.
Scholar, Author, and Voice in National Media
Kashyap Patel’s intellectual contributions are equally profound. He has published and presented over 100 research articles and abstracts nationally and internationally. His work has earned research merit awards and national recognition from ACCC and NCODA, including the Living the Mission Award and Lifetime Achievement honors.
He is also the author of a deeply reflective book published by Penguin Random House India, exploring the fragile boundary between life and death—a theme he encounters daily as a practicing oncologist.
National media outlets such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, CBS News, and NPR have featured his insights, particularly on healthcare policy, disparities, and cancer access.
A Global Perspective
Before medicine defined his career, Kashyap Patel worked as a journalist and photojournalist in India. That early experience sharpened his understanding of storytelling, human struggle, and the power of narrative—skills he now applies in advocacy and policy debates.
He currently serves as Associate Professor at VCOM in Spartanburg and holds leadership roles with NCODA International Chapters. In 2022, he was nominated for the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, recognizing his contributions to American society.