After a months-long selection process, DCSM Chief of Adult and Family Medicine Shital Desai, MD was confirmed as MAPMG’s new District of Columbia and Suburban Maryland’s Physician in Chief on June 26. Dr. Desai was appointed to the position as DCSM’s PIC by MAPMG President and CEO Richard Isaacs, MD, and the decision was affirmed by the MAPMG Board of Directors. She replaces Richard McCarthy, MD as DCSM leader, who recently announced his plans to return to his medical practice with The Permanente Medical Group in Northern California in July.
In an announcement, Drs. Isaacs and Bernadette Loftus, MD, Associate Executive Director of MAPMG, thanked Dr. McCarthy and praised the three other candidates for the PIC position: Carol Cardinale, MD, Ejaz Shamim, MD, and Timothy Swartz, DPM.
“She’s innovative, I think she’s an excellent listener and a terrific communicator,” Dr. Loftus said. “She’s also brought a calming influence and also a sense of optimism. People look for that kind of leadership in stressful times. She’s got a knack of pulling the best out of everyone.”
Dr. Desai began her practice as a MAPMG physician in 2008. During her tenure as a MAPMG physician, she has demonstrated leadership excellence as Physician Site Leader at Marlow Heights and Camp Springs Medical Center; Physician Site Leader and Adult Medicine Module Leader at Largo Medical Center, where she oversaw one of the most complex remodeling projects in the largest medical center in the Mid-Atlantic Region; and most recently as Chief of Adult and Family Medicine, the largest department in the Region.
“I’m incredibly happy that you have an amazing PIC, Dr. Desai, who I think will do wonderful, wonderful things,” Dr. McCarthy said. “I think she’ll be fantastic.”
Dr. Desai also served as the past President of the Prince George’s County Medical Society. Dr. Desai obtained her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and completed her Family Medicine residency at University of Pennsylvania Health System.
As Chief of Adult and Family Medicine, she accomplished so much, including the hiring of more than 50 physicians in the department in less than one and a half years.
Dr. Desai is recognized by her peers as a top doctor and received in 2011 thru 2014 a certificate of recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, on Achievement of Recognition for Delivery of Quality Diabetes Care.
