Clinician Conversations – Episode 3: Yogin Patel, MD & Sulieman Wazeerud-Din, MD

In Episode 3 of Clinician Conversations, ApolloMD CEO Yogin Patel, MD, sits down with Sulieman Wazeerud-Din, MD, known as “Dr. Waz,” to discuss his journey into emergency medicine, his passion for serving the Atlanta community and the experiences that have shaped his approach to patient care and leadership.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Dr. Waz has dedicated much of his career to giving back to the community that helped shape him. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on his path to becoming a physician, the lessons he’s learned from patients and mentors, and the challenges of leading through uncertainty. He also shares his experience navigating hospital closures and helping bring emergency care back to the community through Grady South.

Together, Dr. Yogin Patel and Dr. Waz discuss:

• How his upbringing in Atlanta and early experiences with healthcare influenced his decision to pursue medicine
• His unexpected path into emergency medicine and the lessons he carried from his years as a competitive runner
• The importance of giving back to the community that raised him and leading through service
• A memorable patient encounter that reinforced the importance of slowing down, listening and holding himself to a higher standard
• Navigating the challenges of hospital closures and building resilience during times of uncertainty
• His role in launching Grady South and helping restore access to emergency care for the surrounding community
• How faith, mentorship and preparation have shaped his approach to leadership and medicine

Dr. Waz also shares the advice he would give his younger self: “Have more patience. Learn patience.” He emphasizes the importance of continued learning, personal growth and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Clinician Conversations is a video series hosted by physician and healthcare executive Yogin Patel, MD, that explores the human side of medicine through candid conversations with fellow clinicians.

Beyond the diagnoses and procedures, there are personal stories about what inspired physicians and advanced practice clinicians to choose medicine. Each conversation explores the challenges of modern medicine as well as the experiences that give meaning to the work.

Clinician Conversations is about reconnecting with purpose and celebrating the people behind the practice of medicine.