Meet NYC’s Newest MD: Harika Pal

Parsley Health NYC is expanding: We’re excited to welcome Harika Pal, MD to the team.

Dr. Pal is a board-certified Family Medicine physician who has been practicing office based primary care medicine in the NYC area for over 7 years.

Get to know what interests her most in health, why she joined Parsley, and the three things she does every day.

Q: Why did you become a doctor?

It sounds funny, but I remember wanting to be a doctor since my earliest memories, maybe around the age of two or three. I can’t remember what triggered that early obsession but as I grew older, I became fascinated by how doctors invested so much in the care of their patients and used their knowledge to help people. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else!

“I’m here to provide information, guidance, and recommendations but also to listen to my patients’ concerns, values, and feedback so we can develop the best plan for their health together.” -Harika Pal, MD

Q: What are the conditions you see most often?

I most often see frequent primary care issues related to chronic disease such as diabetes and hypertension in addition to seeing women planning for pregnancies and the various conditions around sexual and reproductive health.

Q: Why did you decide to join Parsley Health?

After training and practicing medicine in traditional systems for almost a decade, I felt the frustrations that many people encounter in their own health care experiences—quick visits with doctors that aren’t given the time to get to know you, rushed instructions on how to implement medical treatment plans, and a focus on pharmaceuticals without a real chance to work on the lifestyle and environmental factors that are making people sick.

I began to explore more whole-body approaches to working with patients and found myself drawn to Parsley Health’s mission to really revolutionize primary care. Here, I found an extraordinary team with a like-minded approach towards a better patient experience and care.

Q: What’s the best part of your job?

Interacting with patients! No two patients are the same, and I often learn as much from them as they learn from me. It is amazing what people will share when they know someone is listening, especially in a safe environment without judgment, and I take the level of trust required very seriously.

Q: What areas of interest do you have as a physician?

I really enjoy working on preventative care as I believe there is so much potential to avoid more severe medical complications with the right early measures. I am also very interested in women’s reproductive and sexual health throughout the age spectrum.

Q: What is your experience of the current healthcare system and where would you like to see changes?

The current healthcare system is complicated and frustrating to navigate. I would like to see more transparency and control for patients, so they know what they are getting at the time of the visit and can make informed decisions on their treatment plans.

Q: How would you describe your relationship with your patients?

My relationship with my patients is two-way. I’m here to provide information, guidance, and recommendations but also to listen to my patients’ concerns, values, and feedback so we can develop the best plan for their health together.

Q: What are three things you do every day that are non-negotiable?

1. Cup of coffee
2. Laughing
3. Quality time with my husband

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I love NYC (the activity, the food, the culture), but being from Florida, I never say no to a nice warm, sandy beach during the winters.

Q: Favorite food?

A comforting, piping hot bowl of daal—a spiced Indian lentil dish that reminds me of my childhood.