“Hey, boss? Can I have four or five weeks off?”

Kishan Patel, MD, couldn’t believe it. A third-year resident in the University of California San Francisco Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Dr. Patel had somehow survived several rounds of interviews and landed a spot on one of the most popular reality TV shows this century-“Survivor.”

Granted permission to take some time off, Dr. Patel was headed to Fiji for the 47th season of the reality television competition where a group of contestants live together on an island and compete in challenges for a prize of $1 million.

Unlike many long-time fans of the show, which has been on for almost 25 years, Dr. Patel only started watching “Survivor” when it popped up as an option on Netflix during the Covid-19 pandemic. He was hooked.

Passion for Emergency Medicine

Dr. Patel, a first-generation physician who studied medicine at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine, has a passion for emergency medicine that is deeply personal. Born to immigrant parents from India, he grew up navigating health care through the emergency department (ED). His family didn’t have health insurance, and his sister endured more than 20 surgeries to treat her spina bifida. Dr. Patel wanted to help vulnerable populations, and treating patients in the ED seemed like a perfect fit.

“The ER is such a safety net for so many,” Dr. Patel said. “Being able to serve this community is such an honor. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.”

The excitement of dealing with unpredictable, sometimes traumatic cases fuels his passion and continues to provide a challenge.

A New Challenge

ACEP member Kishan Patel, MD, submitted his application video to producers of the television show Survivor while on a hike. (Click to enlarge.)

The journey to becoming a “Survivor” cast member started when Dr. Patel was on a hike, took out his phone, and thought to himself, “Why not?” He recorded a video, submitted it, and didn’t have to wait long to hear back. A producer called the next day, inviting him to the first interview. He was invited to another interview, and another, and then another. After each stage, Dr. Patel started to believe he might actually get to compete on the show.

A few weeks later, he was on a plane to Fiji, tossed into the mix with other contestants, all from different backgrounds, about to compete to be the “Sole Survivor.”

“We didn’t know each other’s names or even speak to each other until we landed,” Dr. Patel said.

Watching earlier episodes gave Dr. Patel a baseline for game strategy when it was his turn to compete. He also knew the calm-under-pressure skills he picked up from training in the ED would be a huge asset.

“The moment we hit the island we were thrown into a challenge. No introductions, no idea of each other’s strengths or weaknesses-just go,” Dr. Patel said.

“It’s kind of like the ED. In both environments, you adapt quickly, form strategies, and build trust with your team, often under immense pressure.”

ACEP member Kishan Patel, MD, second from left, prepares for a challenge with his tribe in “Survivor” Season 47. (Click to enlarge.)

But trying to win on “Survivor” adds a layer of emotional complexity because you’re playing a game where trust is such an important currency, he said. Dr. Patel’s strategy was to stay under the radar.

The problem was, Dr. Patel also had teammates-called tribe members on the show-who figuratively stabbed him in the back. In the fourth episode, titled “Is That Blood in Your Hair,” his Lavo tribe finished last in an immunity challenge; that meant that someone had to be voted off. That night, it was Dr. Patel, who was voted off in what fans call a blindside.

New Perspective

Dr. Patel returned to San Francisco with a huge appreciation for the chance to live out a dream. On an overnight shift immediately after the show’s premiere, a patient’s partner asked him, “Wait, are you that guy from ‘Survivor?'”

From there, Dr. Patel said he was recognized by patients pretty much on every shift.

“It was so much fun, and everybody at work was so supportive,” Dr. Patel said. “We would have watching parties when new episodes came on, and everybody kind of got into it. It was weird being recognized all the time, but that’s not why I’m so appreciative of this opportunity. I love adventure, and I love a good challenge.”

Now back in the ED, Dr. Patel approaches his role with renewed perspective.

“It’s a reminder,” he said, “to keep chasing experiences that push me.”

Mr. Scheid is ACEP’s Communications Director.