Salma Patel

Salma Patel, MD, MPH, FACP, FAASM, joined the faculty of the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson in 2018. She earned both her MD and MPH at the University of Arizona and completed an Internal Medicine residency and a Sleep Medicine fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, where she served for 13 years before returning to Arizona. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine, Dr. Patel is a nationally recognized educator, clinician, researcher, and mentor who works with learners across the continuum—from undergraduates and graduate students to medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty.

Her scholarship bridges sleep medicine with cardiology and vascular science and extends to population-level sleep health—examining the implications of sleep and circadian disruption for cardiometabolic risk, circadian science, and health outcomes. Supported by federal and foundation funding, she translates evidence into practice through guideline development, workforce training, and community-engaged education, presenting and publishing widely. Guided by the principle that "the best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered" (Dr. William J. Mayo, 1910), she is committed to advancing patient-centered care and preparing highly competent health professionals through innovative, evidence-informed education and clinical care. Dr. Patel holds multiple leadership roles within the University and at Banner Health.