Welcome to a new series highlighting our Alumni Board Specialty Directors. In this issue, we introduce Amar Gupta, MD (DR’18, ABI’21), a diagnostic and interventional radiologist in Cleveland Clinic’s Imaging Institute. Dr. Gupta, whose specialty is abdominal imaging and intervention, works at main campus and in the west region hospitals.
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Q. What led you to a career in medicine?
A. For me, it started early on. My mother is an internist in the Boston area and I was fortunate to see her work every day growing up. I saw how impactful medicine is on patients’ lives and how rewarding it is as a career. When I started doing volunteer clinical work and research at Massachusetts General Hospital, I realized that this was definitely something I’d want to pursue. I was attracted to the field of radiology because it is really at the forefront of the technological innovation in medicine. With the constant advancement of imaging (i.e. CT and MRI) we are able to formulate diagnoses more efficiently and with increased precision. Moreover, we are able to do more minimally invasive treatments for a spectrum of disease processes – especially in the treatment of cancer. We now can do safer procedures that once could only be done with open surgical intervention. Imaging impacts every medical subspecialty. We interact with every discipline within the hospital and get to see and treat many different patients.
Q. What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
A. I am dual-boarded and trained in diagnostic and interventional radiology. Early in my career I was fortunate to have published and presented extensively on many topics relating to abdominal imaging, specifically percutaneous ablation (a minimally invasive treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma). Recently, I was selected by my peers to serve in the Society of Abdominal Radiology cross-sectional Interventional Radiology (CSIR) Disease Function Panel, a group of 20 national experts who work to formulate consensus guidelines for CSIR procedures and lead multi-institutional research endeavors. I am privileged to have been selected in my early career.
Q. What’s your favorite memory of your time thus far at Cleveland Clinic?
A. I would say celebrating our residency graduation. It was such a great moment. It really was the culmination of so many years of education (almost 13 years!) and it was a great to celebrate accomplishments together as a class.
Q. Who are your mentors?
A. I have been fortunate to have both personal and professional mentors. Personally, both my mother, Raj, and my brother, Vishal, have been incredible sources of inspiration and guidance throughout this whole process. I am grateful for the balance they have provided in my life and for keeping me grounded in my career. Specifically, my mother has been a physician for almost 30 years, and her perseverance and endurance through all the ups and downs of that journey has been truly inspirational. Professionally, my mentor is Peter Liu, MD, who was recently named the Chairman of the Imaging Institute. He trained me in abdominal imaging during my residency and fellowship and has been a close friend and mentor through the years. I am fortunate to have had his guidance and advice in cultivating an academically and clinically fulfilling career trajectory.
Q. What motivated you to serve on the Alumni Board?
A. I enjoy engaging with our network of Cleveland Clinic alumni. Having worked with residents and fellows for years, it is important to engage them in this group. It’s really nice to bring in new alumni and avail them of the many opportunities in this organization. When you hear the word ‘alumni,’ you think of people who are 20 to 30 years removed from their institution. We are helping graduating residents and fellow know that they are now part of this network, and that we offer them support and guidance for years to come. I’m excited to continue onward with that.
Q. What are your favorite pursuits outside of work?
A. I love being involved in the Cleveland community. I’m part of the Providence House, a crisis nursery that provides both housing and social services to women and children without means in the City of Cleveland. We help to raise money for the Providence House and participate in several volunteer events. I’ve also worked a lot with the Cleveland Professional 20-30 Club, a group that works to engage Cleveland residents in philanthropy and networking throughout the city. In 2022, I was recognized by that group for being a Cleveland Mover and Shaker, an award which recognizes young leaders that have a record of excellence in their work, civic engagement and philanthropic efforts. They recognize 20 people a year under the age of 40. I’ve been in Cleveland since I was 18. It’s been amazing living here, and it’s great to give back when possible. I’m also an avid cyclist (did VeloSano this past year as part of the Alumni Team!), golfer and guitarist.
Q. Do you have any advice that you would like to share with future alumni?
A. That’s my advice! Take the time during and after training to focus on aspects of personal and professional happiness. It’s different for everyone, but ultimately, pursuing these interests will make you a better clinician.
Meet Hardeep Phull, MD (CCLCM’11)
Meet William Tierney, MD, MS (CCLCM’16, OTO’18)
Meet Samuel Omotoye, MD (CARD/E'15)
