Meet your MEC: Jasmin Chaudhary, MD

Get to know your medical executive committee members in this new series

Over the next 12 issues, we’ll meet members of the Medical Executive Committees (MECs) at Salem and West Valley hospitals so you can get to know the people behind these leadership roles. First up, Salem Hospital Medical Staff President and MEC Chair Jasmin Chaudhary, MD. Dr. Chaudhary is a Certified Wound Care Physician who specializes in Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology.

Q: What does it mean to you to be Medical Staff President for Salem Hospital?

A: I am honored to serve for the next two years. I am excited to partner with Salem Health and independent providers to achieve the best care for our patients.

Q: What made you want to specialize in infectious diseases?

A: I love the mystery involved in infectious diseases. We do a lot of detective type work. Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote Sherlock Holmes, was a physician and I like to think he was an infectious disease doctor!

Q: Why are you a doctor?

A: We see patients when they are at their most vulnerable — supporting them, guiding them and treating them. We are on the brink of vast changes in medicine as it pertains to artificial intelligence. What will continue to set us apart from any evolving technology is something that AI cannot do — not yet, at least — and that is our ability to meet our patients with humility and walk with them in care and empathy, even when times are hard. I chose medicine because I want to be able to help people overcome their health challenges and live a fruitful life. 

Q: What do you want most for your patients?

A: To thrive to the best of their abilities in this short period of time we are on Earth!

Q: You love hiking. What’s a favorite local trail everyone should try?

A: Wahclella Falls. It’s easily accessible in the Columbia River Gorge and it's a short 2.4-mile hike with spectacular waterfall views. Afterward, you can drop by downtown Portland and have lunch or dinner at a fabulous place!

Q: You also enjoy travelling. What place has really stuck with you and why?

A: I really enjoyed going to Andalusia in Spain. I highly recommend adding it to any travel buff’s itinerary. I specifically enjoyed Ronda, which has a stunning bridge connecting two parts of a deep gorge. I also love Andalusia for its many olive groves, flamenco dancing, mysterious vibes and warm people.

From Dr. Chaudhary’s travels to Ronda, Spain.

Q: Favorite place to dine in Salem?

A: The Cozy Taberna

 Q: What are you reading or listening to? Favorite movies?

A: I love reading mysteries and thrillers and I love any music from the ‘80s. My favorite movies from that era are St. Elmo's Fire, Mystic Pizza and Pretty in Pink. 

 Q: What’s the best advice you ever heard?

A: “Everything you need to know in order to care for a patient, will come from the patient,” said by one of my infectious disease mentors in residency. It speaks to the importance of listening to our patients.

Thank you, Dr. Chaudhary, for sharing with us! We look forward to speaking with our next MEC member, West Valley Hospital Medical Staff President Zubaria Iram, MD, in our next issue.