Continuing our physician spotlight series on the blog, we recently caught up with Dr. Akhil Shah and asked him a few questions.

SRM: Where is your hometown?

Naperville, Illinois. I’ll always be a Chicago Bears fan, no matter how much they’ve been letting me down lately.

SRM: When did you first think about going into medicine?

My parents started brainwashing me to become a doctor at an early age! I actually spent time working with my father in his pharmacy when I was as young as 6 or 7 years old. Of course, I did really simple things like labeling bottles (or just playing with the label maker), but it was good father-son time and I saw how rewarding medicine could be. In college I started out as a double major in finance and biology at the University of Illinois. I loved my science classes, but found myself continually falling asleep in accounting. Medicine gave me the ability to combine my love for science with the desire to work with people. I dropped finance, focused on biology, and declared myself pre-med.

SRM: Why did you choose to specialize in Obstetrics/Gynecology and then subspecialize in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility?

I was drawn to the variety found in an OB/GYN practice. Every day is different and every patient’s needs are different. As an OB/GYN you counsel patients in clinic, deliver babies, and perform surgical procedures. I loved being able to take care of all my patients’ needs. I eventually decided on REI because I can’t think of a better profession than one that allows you to help people start and grow their families while also being at the cutting edge of medicine.

SRM: What is the most challenging part of your work?

The uncertainty. I am keenly aware of how much time, money, and effort our patients put into the family building process. Despite our best efforts, not all patients have success. I keep this in mind on a daily basis and make sure that I am always ready to give my patients the emotional support, guidance, and honesty that they need.

SRM: What kind of work would you choose to do if you weren’t a physician?

Professional basketball player. There are plenty of basketball players that are 5’8” tall, right?

SRM: What do you do to relax?

I try to spend as much time as possible with my family – they’re just fun to be around. Right now our favorite activity is playing with Legos and Magna Tiles. I also enjoy playing basketball, keeping up with the latest technology and gadgets, and travelling.

Click here to learn a little more about Dr. Akhil Shah.