Sandhya Sharma, MD

As a child, unfortunately, I had to go to the doctor a lot. The medical providers I saw left an impression on me because of their willingness to help. Being a physician assistant allows me to help others; I help others stay healthy, educate and counsel, and I get to know my patients. My approach to patient care is listening to the patient. If you listen, theres a good chance theyre going to tell you what the problem is. I am an active member in my patients care, but I also encourage my patients to be an advocate for themselves. I empathize, show humility and am kind, but I also give a good push when needed. Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children. I also enjoy gardening, raising chickens, working in my yard, photography, reading and crafting.

Early on, I knew I wanted to help people, but somehow decided on mechanical engineering. However, when I was a teenager, my grandfather fell ill, and I felt helpless; not wanting to feel that way again, I decided to study medicine. I believe patients need and appreciate a provider's undivided attention. I try to listen to them, and, often times, more than than medicine or other treatments, patients feel better just having the opportunity to express and release their concerns. I am also a true believer that preventive medicine and lifestyle changes can go a long way in decreasing the impact of illness, which is often a lot harder than just prescribing medication. Outside of work, I enjoy the outdoors and am very active with the Boy Scouts of America. I also enjoy photography, visiting new places, sampling and brewing beer, and, most of all, spending time with family.

I chose to become a nurse practitioner because of my desire to further my education and to be able to reach patients in a capacity that bedside nursing would not allow. Although I love bedside nursing, being a nurse practitioner will allow me to be a more active part of patient plans and outcomes. My approach to patient care is centered around an understanding that patients are individuals, and we must first form a meaningful patient-provider relationship that will aid in my ability to provide the best care possible for each of them. If trust is established, outcomes will reflect that. My areas of interest are preventative care, with an emphasis on risk management related to cardiovascular events. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and my friends. I especially love traveling to new places.