Featured Member of the Month (Jun. 2021): Parol Pitroda

Dr. Parol Pitroda is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician. She has been practicing since 2006 and became a member of the AVLS in 2019. She is from the Chicago area and completed her residency in Chicago. She is licensed in the states of Illinois and California.

How and why did you start practicing in the field of vein care?

As a primary care physician, I realized how underdiagnosed venous insufficiency was and often ignored as just cosmetic. I decided to learn more about vein disease, get trained on treatment options, and start treating my patients. I knew that treating venous insufficiency would greatly improve the quality of life for my patients. I started doing procedures in 2016 at a local hospital and also in my own clinic shortly after. I have since increased focus on vein treatments and have set up a dedicated practice, Windy City Veins.  

When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?

When not in the clinic and doing procedures, I try to spend time with my family, exercise a few times a week, bake with my daughter and play chess with my son. I also collect wines with my husband and chase after our newly adopted puppy, who loves to chew everything in sight. With summers being so short in Chicago, I try to spend as much time outside as I can to soak up every minute of it.

How long have you been a member of the AVLS and why did you decide to join?

I have been an AVLS member since 2019. I joined because it is a way for me to be part of the small but growing community of physicians who focus on venous disease and treatment. I hope to be more involved with AVLS in the coming years.

In what ways has the AVLS helped you as a physician?

AVLS is a great platform to connect with others in the vein treatment arena. It is a forum to interact with, learn from, exchange ideas with others. It is how I continue to grow as a practitioner while helping others learn from my experience.

Any advice for providers new to the field?

What I can offer to new members in the field is to firstly learn as much as you can, reach out, talk with and meet vein specialists in your network. Don't be shy about asking questions and seeking guidance from the vein community. On the patient care side, I would say it is very important to communicate well with patients, set the right expectations and help educate them along the way.

What resources does the AVLS provide that would benefit them?

Knowledge through publications, classes and certification, and networking opportunity through the AVLS meetings.