Conversations with Dr. Sarah Kareem

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Kareem MD .

Hi Dr. Kareem, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am of Indian origin, but I grew up in the middle east. I did my medical school in Dubai and then got an opportunity to finish the US medical license exams and secure a residency spot in Little Rock, Arkansas in a Family Medicine Residency program. After completing three years of training , I moved to Tampa,Florida . I initially worked as a Hospital Doctor in Winterhaven, Lakeland and Bartow Hospitals. I finally started getting closer to Tampa by working at Advent Health and finally now working as a Hospitalist at Tampa General Hospital. Ever since I finished residency, I realised there is alot to improve with medicine.

As a person who has been on the other side as a patient and a family member of a patient, I could understand the grievances alot of people have with the health care system. Hence I started a Wellness center called ZenlifeMD Health and Wellness. I feel that going to a doctor should be a wholesome experience. There shouldn’t have to be an experience that leads to white coat hypertension. It should be a place of comfort and therapy and not anxiety. The main incident that got me to go full gear in pursuing the clinic is while working as a hospital doctor, I admitted a patient who I later diagnosed as having stage 1 colon cancer. I had arranged for all outpatient therapy with proper consulting specialists. Fast forward to 6 months later. I met this patient again in the emergency room—this time, he had metastasis, which is cancer spreading all over the body. I was very shocked, asking him how that happened when I set up the right appointments and made sure to have proper follow up. He told me he stopped everything after going to a holistic physician and was told to not do any medical therapy and just insisted on high dose vitamin C. This patient eventually died at the hospital, but it got me thinking. There is a place and time for every therapy. I believe in alternative approaches, and I think it is an excellent addition to current medical management for patients. But I think there should be more medical doctors who can do both to guide patients at the right time for each thing. This caused a huge impact on me, and I knew that this would be a concept a lot of people would appreciate.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been a lot of struggles. Being a Foreign Graduate and of an ethnic origin, I had to prove alot more than others. I feel also being a female in the realm of medicine is a major factor. There have been struggles to understand the healthcare system sometimes , On why some things are done in a complicated way.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Board Certified Family Physician. I work as a hospital doctor as well as have my own clinic ZenlifeMD health and wellness. I’m very proud of my struggles and how I have reached a point where I can help others with their health. What sets me apart are a few things. My background is very diverse. Being of Indian origin but also experiencing the middle eastern culture and the western culture, I have been able to be more open-minded about therapies and be more patient-focused. I feel like I would rather be in a partnership with a patient in regards to their health, and I will always advocate for them and their best interest. Another thing that sets me apart is the whole-body approach. I practice primary care, functional medicine IV therapy and aesthetics under one roof. Most of the time in medspas or IV hydration places, an MD is not usually on the side. I believe in a more hands-on and personal approach to patient care and what puts me apart. It believes in actually helping others improve their lives. I feel like I have lived the American Dream. Coming from overseas and working my way to where I am. This makes me extremely thankful for all the experiences, and I still continue to learn.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the Diverse population, the fact that it’s a small city with a big city feel. I love so many things to do and you don’t have to travel too far to places that are tourist destinations. Diversity with food is also growing and upcoming. What I like least is the weather in the summertime. and even humidity.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@zenlifeMD.com
• Website: zenlifeMD.com
• Instagram: zenlifemd_
• Facebook: ZenlifeMD