Payal Shah DO is a family medicine doctor with a subspecialty training in geriatrics from University of Southern California. She was inspired to pursue a career in medicine by the positive experiences she had with her pediatrician growing up. Her pediatrician took the time to educate her and encouraged her to be the best version of herself. Dr. Shah also saw how much her grandmother trusted her primary care provider, someone who always made sure her care was aligned with her values. These experiences, along with her natural curiosity about how the body works, motivated her to become a doctor.
Dr. Shah chose family medicine because it aligned with her passion for patient education and building long-term, meaningful relationships with patients and their families. She valued the broad scope that family medicine offers—caring for individuals across all ages and backgrounds and addressing both immediate health needs and long-term wellness goals.
Within family medicine, she developed a particular interest in geriatrics. She was drawn to its multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach and the opportunity to support older adults in maintaining their quality of life. Her close relationship with her grandmother helped shape this interest, and she continues to find joy in the wisdom, stories, and humor that often come with caring for this population.
The aspect of family medicine and geriatrics that Dr. Shah enjoys most is building real connections with her patients. She loves being able to walk alongside them through different stages of life, support their goals, and help them understand their health better along the way. She found that some of the most meaningful moments come from patient education. She wants her patients to understand what's going on with their health and feel comfortable asking questions. She knows everyone’s health journey is unique, and she respects their different backgrounds, priorities, and experiences. Her goal is to listen, learn, and help guide them through their care. She also wants her patients to feel that they can trust her to support them through life’s changes, and that they will work together to navigate whatever comes next.
Patients might be surprised to learn how big a role Dr. Shah’s dog, Remi, plays in her life. She often jokes that he’s one of her best friends, and she even dreams of having a dog sanctuary one day. She was incredibly close to her grandmother, who lived to 101, and was more like a best friend than a grandmother.
In her free time, Dr. Shah enjoys exploring local hiking trails, experimenting with new recipes, and creating photo collages and slideshows.
