Vineland, N.J.– Inspira Health has appointed Ankur S. Patel, MD, MBA, FAAFP, as President of its Living Independently for Elders (LIFE) program, effective May 5. The organization announced the leadership move Monday, highlighting Dr. Patel’s extensive experience in geriatric care and health system innovation.
Dr. Patel brings over a decade of experience in elder care, having worked across acute care, nursing homes, and PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) models. Prior to this appointment, he served as Chief Medical Officer at GrayHawk Health, where he focused on improving patient outcomes and satisfaction while reducing health care costs through strategic care coordination.
“Inspira LIFE’s mission is to help seniors live independently in their communities, and Dr. Patel’s experience and dedication will be key in advancing that goal,” said April M. Venable, MBA, FACHE, Senior Vice President of Operations Strategy and Transformation at Inspira Health. “His leadership will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on our patients, staff, and the broader community.”
As President, Dr. Patel will oversee the program’s clinical, operational, and financial functions, aiming to deliver high-quality, comprehensive services to aging individuals. His return to Inspira marks a continuation of earlier work—he previously served as Medical Director for the LIFE program during its formative years.
“I am beyond thrilled to lead Inspira LIFE’s mission to deliver integrated, person-centered care that meets the needs of seniors in our community,” Dr. Patel said. “Empowering older adults to live healthy, independent lives has always been my passion.”
Dr. Patel earned his Bachelor of Pharmacy from North Gujarat University in India, his medical degree from St. James School of Medicine in the Netherlands Antilles, and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts. He completed a family medicine residency at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a geriatric fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He is also the author of the international bestseller Age Is Just a Number: A Geriatrician’s Secrets to Getting the Most Out of Life.
