Salma I. Patel, MD, MPH, FACP, FAASM

Dr. Salma Patel is a specialist in Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine, currently serving as Clinical Professor and Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs at the University of Arizona College of Health Sciences. She also holds faculty appointments with the BIO5 Institute and the Sarver Heart Center. Dr. Patel maintains an active clinical practice at Banner Health, the University’s affiliated academic medical center, and is a committed educator and mentor to learners at all levels—including undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral, medical students, residents, and fellows. Before joining the University of Arizona eight years ago, she spent 13 years at the Mayo Clinic.

Nationally recognized for her expertise in sleep medicine, Dr. Patel contributes to the development of clinical practice guidelines for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and authors board examination questions for physician licensing for the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her research integrates sleep medicine, cardiology, and vascular medicine, with support from both federal and private funding. She frequently presents at regional and national conferences and has published widely in her fields of expertise.

As Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs, Dr. Patel provides strategic leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of curricula across all academic programs within the College of Health Sciences. She leads a team of experienced educators and administrative faculty dedicated to advancing the College’s educational mission. Her work focuses on aligning curricula with program goals, enhancing assessment strategies, and ensuring high standards in pre-clinical and clinical education. Inspired by the Mayo Brothers' guiding principle—“The best interest of the patient is the only interest to be considered”—Dr. Patel is driven to prepare well-qualified, competent health professionals who will serve patients with excellence.