Nirav Patel and Dr Keyur Shah of Whole Body MRI: Inside the Quest to Transform Reactive Medicine Through Preventative Full-Body Scans

In our world of constant change, and with life moving faster than ever, topics such as mental health, self-care, and prevention have become popular buzzwords. People are looking to live healthier lives, and there is superb care out there that is being offered. At the same time, there are misconceptions about the meaning of self-care and exercise. Many opt for quick solutions — surgery, pills — to dull the problem without adequately addressing the underlying cause. Meanwhile, many parts of the industry are unregulated and oversaturated. People with years of training are competing with people with weekend training. Many providers are overworked, overwhelmed, and underpaid. The general public is not educated about asking the right questions when selecting a wellness provider. In the face of all this, what can be done to correct the status quo? In this interview series, we are seeking to hear from a variety of leaders in the health and wellness industries who agree that the wellness industry is in need of an overhaul and offer suggestions about what can be done moving forward. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Dr. Nirav Patel and Dr. Keyur Shah.

Dr. Nirav Patel, co-founder and Chief of Radiology at Whole Body MRI, is passionate about preventative healthcare and transforming the health and wellness industry so that prevention is at the forefront. With extensive experience in radiology and innovative healthcare solutions, Dr. Patel is focused on delivering full-body MRI scans as the only service provider in the province of Ontario in Canada.

Dr. Keyur Shah, also a co-founder of Whole Body MRI, shares Dr. Patel’s commitment to innovation and preventative healthcare. Together, their entrepreneurial skills combined with their expertise in radiology have been the secret to Whole Body MRI’s success, pioneering new ways to leverage technology to improve health outcomes.

Thank you so much for doing this interview. It is an honor. Our readers would love to learn more about you and your personal background. Can you please share your personal backstory? What is your “why” behind the work that you do? What fuels you?

We both started our careers as radiologists and Dr. Patel got into entrepreneurship by founding GNMI Medical Imaging and GTR Teleradiology, and taking over ownership of Merivale Medical Imaging. Working in MRI clinics, we heard from many clients that they would love to get a full-body MRI scan but did not want to fly out of Ontario to get the service done. This inspired us to create Whole Body MRI — to meet the needs of Canadians looking to do a comprehensive health scan to identify any health concerns as early as possible. Preventative healthcare is a growing movement in North America that we firmly believe will change our healthcare system for the better, so we wanted to play a role in delivering this kind of care.

We also looked at the technology for full-body MRI scans available in North America and knew we could refine the experience. When it comes to a patient’s health, we want to reduce ambiguity and uncertainty as much as possible. This goal fueled the creation of Whole Body MRI.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting new projects you are working on now?

When we first started Whole Body MRI, we were laser-focused on building our full-body scan from the ground up to provide patients with more accurate and reliable information about their health than the existing MRI technology available on the market could. Now that we have achieved this, our focus is on educating the public about our MRI technology and how it can help individuals take charge of their health.

We have also expanded our services to now offer several additional important preventative health scans, including Coronary (Cardiac) CTA and Calcium Scoring, Prostate MRI Screening, and Breast MRI Screening.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Working in healthcare, as you can imagine there isn’t room for “funny” mistakes as we’re dealing with people’s lives, but we can tell you about a problem we encountered early on in building MRI clinics that we learned a lot from.

Efficiency was a priority for us as wait times and delays are common issues patients encounter in Canada. We intentionally created a system where after receiving a referral from a physician, patients were quickly scheduled for diagnostic exams and the report was promptly delivered to the referring physician. However, as this pace was not the status quo for both patients and providers, the process hit roadblocks as patients expected timely results but providers did not have the immediate open availability for appointments to deliver and discuss the report results. The takeaway for us is that proactive communication is key to streamlining processes — all stakeholders need to be aware and on board with timelines in order to create a seamless process and set realistic expectations with clients.

Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview. From where you stand, why are you passionate about the topic of Reimagining The Health and Wellness industries? Can you explain what you mean with a story or an example?

Between extended wait times and rampant healthcare worker burnout, it is clear that the Canadian healthcare system is overburdened and is not serving both patients and providers the way it should. There are so many different angles to tackle the problems plaguing our healthcare system, and we feel strongly that preventative healthcare is part of the solution. For example, by identifying healthcare concerns early on through methods such as routine screenings, we are better able to address the issue and reduce its impact on a patient’s long-term health.

We’ve seen firsthand how preventative and proactive healthcare can improve patient outcomes. Our work at Whole Body MRI is a living example of how reshaping these industries can lead to significant improvements for both patients and providers.

When I talk about Reimagining the Wellness industry, I am talking about reimagining it from the perspective of the providers as well as from the perspective of the recipients and patients. Can you share a few reasons why the status quo is not working for both providers and patients?

The status quo often falls short for both providers and patients due to systemic challenges. Providers face administrative burdens, staffing shortages, and outdated processes that hinder their ability to deliver optimal care. Simultaneously, patients encounter barriers such as limited accessibility, and a lack of personalized care. These challenges underscore the need for a good look at the core issues faced by both providers and patients.

The core issue is we have created a reactive healthcare system, where providers are focused on treatment and recovery, and patients are only given access when they are in crisis. It’s a system that fails to address the root causes of health issues, to lead to better patient outcomes, and to reduce overall healthcare costs. Consequently, both providers and patients suffer. A new approach is needed — one that prioritizes preventative care, ensures personalized services for all patients, and provides an integrated experience where providers can focus on delivering quality care for their recipients.

Why do you think there is a good opportunity now to improve and reform the health and wellness industry?

Now is the time to improve and reform the health and wellness industry because there is demand from both patients and providers — both sides are aligned that we need change. We need to use this momentum to create sustainable and long-term solutions for the healthcare industry to change it for the better. We need to take active steps to repair our healthcare system now and address the gaps that exist so that it is stronger for future generations.

Can you please share your “5 Things That Should Be Done To Improve and Reform The Health & Wellness Industry”?

Certainly! We see the following five key areas of focus for improving and reforming the health and wellness industry:

a. Investment in preventative healthcare: To build a sustainable healthcare system that isn’t constantly overburdened, we need to start investing more in preventative tools such as screening so we can catch problems before they become intensive and life-threatening. While this may cause more demand for healthcare in the short term, it will lighten the load in the long term.

b. Patient Education: Prioritize patient education to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to actively participate in their healthcare journey.

c. Provider Training: Invest in ongoing training for healthcare providers, keeping them abreast of the latest advancements and ensuring optimal patient care.

d. Technological Innovation: Embrace and integrate technological innovations to streamline processes, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and improve overall healthcare delivery. e. Personalized care: Prioritize personalized care to make the best use of our resources and improve patient outcomes.

From the recipient and patient side of the industry, can you please share a few ways that patients and recipients should reimagine what the wellness and healthcare industry should provide?

Patients should reimagine healthcare as a collaborative and proactive partnership. We encourage patients to take charge of their own health and seek out personalized and preventive care. By actively engaging in their healthcare journey, seeking personalized information, and embracing preventive measures, patients can contribute to a paradigm shift where wellness is proactively prioritized before it turns to illness.

What do you think are the biggest roadblocks to reforming the industry? What can be done to address those hurdles?

The most significant roadblocks are resistance to change and regulatory hurdles. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including increased investment in innovative solutions, and collaboration across stakeholders to overcome resistance to transformative changes.

I’m very passionate about the topic of proactive versus reactive self-care and healthcare. What do you think can be done to shift the industries towards a proactive healthcare approach? How can we shift the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike?

Industry change is driven more by consumer demand than anything. An example of this on a smaller scale is consumers’ attitudes towards sunscreen. As consumers became more aware of the negative effects of sun damage in terms of aging and skin cancer, they began to demand better options to proactively protect their skin. The sunscreen industry has blown up since — every skincare and beauty brand is coming out with SPF!

In terms of promoting a proactive healthcare approach at large, this involves encouraging regular health check-ups, early screenings for disease, and embracing healthy lifestyle changes. It’s important to also emphasize the role of education to shift the mindset of both consumers and providers. By fostering a culture that values preventive measures over reactionary responses, the industry can move towards a more proactive and holistic approach to healthcare.

Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?

Our favourite quote, “Change is the only constant,” resonates deeply with us. This philosophy underscores our constant pursuit of innovation and improvement in the healthcare field. Embracing change as an inherent and necessary aspect of growth aligns with our commitment to staying at the forefront of advancements, ensuring that Whole Body MRI is a leader in transformative healthcare practices.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?

We would both love to sit down with Dr. Peter Attia, a fellow Canadian and physician at the forefront of longevity science, to discuss his thoughts and ideas on preventative healthcare and the growing impact of technology on preventative healthcare, health education, and people’s health journeys.

Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success.

About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.