10 Questions with Dr. Isha Gupta
Dr. Isha Gupta from Middletown Medical in the New York Hudson Region is board-certified in nephrology and internal medicine. She is bilingual in English and Hindi and earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from B.J. Medical College in Pune, India. She has research experience from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL, where she assisted on two projects; the live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation of prosthetic valve dysfunction and of pericardial effusion.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, which would you choose?
Dedicated, compassionate, and community-oriented.
Can you share why you decided to become a doctor?
Medicine is a great pathway for constant intellectual stimulation while providing one with an important avenue to help others. I decided to become a doctor to make a positive impact on people’s lives by diagnosing, treating, and caring for their various health concerns.
Can you explain a part of your journey to become a doctor or clinical research that impacted you?
Very recently—during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was faced with the dire challenge of treating a young unvaccinated pregnant patient with severe COVID symptoms. In such trying times, I was able to help her with the relatively new treatment options available then (monoclonal antibodies), which were based on limited data available. It refueled my passion towards clinical research, and I started dedicating and investing more time and energy towards it.
Why did you become involved in clinical research?
Being a community-based provider, I feel it is important for the likes of me to be part of clinical research. I bring diverse perspectives to the table, help with the recruitment and retention of patients, and most importantly, play a critical role in the dissemination and implementation of research findings to effectively help with translating the knowledge into practice. Overall, the participation of community-based positions promotes inclusivity, relevance, and the ethical conduct of the studies, leading to better healthcare outcomes and improved community health. I feel it is our responsibility to forward innovations in medicine and make them accessible at the community level.
What is the biggest challenge we face today in the clinical research industry as it pertains to healthcare?
Clinical research faces many challenges today, especially in participant recruitment and retention. Keeping participants engaged throughout the trial can be time-consuming and a costly affair.
In your experience, what has been the most crucial factor that has changed drug development or healthcare?
There are various factors that play a crucial role in drug development or healthcare today—some important ones being genomics, advancements in biotechnology, etc. Personally, I feel the regulatory changes from agencies like the FDA, where they have adapted to streamline the drug approval process, have played a big role in drug development and shaping healthcare.
How has clinical research affected your life personally?
I feel personal fulfillment and professional growth as I participate in clinical research. I feel great satisfaction in being able to offer my patients the opportunity to be part of a clinical trial as it seems fit, for a more patient-focused treatment plan.
What is the biggest misconception people have about clinical trials?
Personally, I feel clinical trials have been associated with big teaching hospitals and educational centers. I feel satisfied, personally and professionally, to be able to partake in trials while being a part of a busy private practice and offer my patients the chance to be part of these trials.
What advice would you give to the next generation of researchers?
I would like to emphasize to the next generation of researchers that a collective effort and collaboration will lead to impactful contributions and advancements in the research arena.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
“Renal Reverie – A Nephrologist’s Tale”
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