Hello! I’m
Dr. Minal R. Patel
I specialize in
Transforming How People Access and Experience Healthcare by Tackling Cost, Complexity, and Everyday Barriers
I’m a tenured professor at the University of Michigan and nationally recognized researcher focused on the real-world barriers that make it harder for people with chronic illnesses to get the care they need and deserve.
My work investigates how the cost of care, confusing systems, and unmet needs- like transportation, housing, and food- shape people’s ability to stay healthy. I partner with healthcare systems, nonprofits, and policy and advocacy groups to turn evidence into practice tools and solutions that make care more affordable, more accessible, and more aligned with real life.
Values That Drive My Work
I believe that healthcare should respect people’s time, circumstance, and basic dignity. I focus on making care more usable, affordable, and fair- especially for people navigating complex chronic conditions.
I believe in creating resources and systems that allow everyone to thrive.
Here are the core values that drive everything I do:
Clarity
I aim to make healthcare easier to understand and use- for patients, providers, and systems.
Usefulness
My research leads to real tools and solutions that can improve people’s lives
Collaboration
I build partnerships that connect research to the people and systems who need it.
Real-World Change
I measure success by how much easier it becomes for people to manage their health without sacrificing basic needs.
My Story and Why this Work Matters
I’ve always been driven by a need to understand why healthcare feels so hard for the people who need it most—and what we can do to make it better. Early in my career, I saw how financial strain, logistical barriers, and system complexity routinely disrupted people’s ability to manage chronic illness.
What looked like nonadherence was often the result of costs, logistics, or systems getting in the way.
That realization shaped everything I do.
Over time, that focus became a commitment: to identify what’s getting in the way, and to design real, research-informed solutions that help people navigate care without sacrificing their financial or emotional well-being. I believe meaningful change comes from combining rigorous evidence with practical tools, honest partnerships, and a deep respect for the lives people are already managing.
A Few Career Highlights
01 /
Redefining Chronic Care
My research has shown how cost and complexity can derail treatment—and how systems can be redesigned to reduce that burden. This work has helped shape patient-facing tools and clinical workflows that promote financial stability and treatment success.
02 /
Scaling Solutions
From digital navigation tools to policy strategies, I develop interventions that healthcare organizations can implement and scale.
03 /
Influencing systems
My work has informed practice guidelines, large-scale evaluations, and policy conversations across sectors—especially in diabetes and cardiometabolic care.
100+
Scientific Articles
Written and published
$15+
MILLION IN FUNDING
Awarded in external research funding
100 +
Collaborators
With policymakers and healthcare
Professional Affiliations
I am proud to be affiliated with leading institutions and national organizations focused on improving care, including the AcademyHealth, Society of Behavioral Medicine, the American Thoracic Society, and the University of Michigan, where I contribute to meaningful research and mentorship, and the development of practical solutions
WAYS YOU CAN
Work with Me
Discover how we can collaborate to address your unique goals and challenges. Explore the options available to find the approach that best fits your needs. Together, we can create impactful solutions that drive meaningful change.