Prita Patel, MSc

Prita Patel, MSc, serves as interim deputy dean for Yale School of Medicine (YSM) Finance & Administration (F&A) and as executive director for business administration and strategic initiatives. She joined YSM in September 2025, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience in health care and higher education, with expertise in financial stewardship, operational leadership, and strategic planning.

In this dual role, Patel oversees YSM’s $3 billion operating budget and leads the school’s finance, budgeting, human resources, capital planning, information technology, and administrative functions to support operational excellence and continuous improvement. She works closely with the dean and deputy deans, as well as administrative and academic leaders across Yale University and Yale New Haven Health System, to set strategic priorities and align resources in support of YSM’s educational, research, and clinical missions.

Patel also oversees YSM’s basic science, clinical, and central administration departments, including their Integrated Business Operations (IBO) units. In partnership with the F&A Office of Continuous Improvement, she helps identify and advance initiatives that strengthen processes and improve the school’s business operations.

Prior to joining YSM, Patel served at American University for more than a decade as vice provost for academic administration and associate vice provost for academic administration. There, she led the financial and operational functions for Academic Affairs–including seven schools and colleges–managing an operating budget of more than $400 million. She also served on the Strategic Planning Implementation Committee, supporting goal development, progress tracking, and the establishment of metrics for reporting and continuous improvement.

Earlier in her career, Patel held progressively senior roles at Columbia University Medical Center, including senior director of budget, finance, and risk management for Women’s and Children’s Health, and director-level finance and budgeting roles within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She also partnered with New York-Presbyterian Hospital on joint strategic initiatives. Additional experience includes roles at Heatlhfirst as a product management associate and at Morgan Stanley as a health care services equity research associate.

Patel earned her bachelor’s degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business and holds a master’s degree in international health management from Imperial Business School in London. She is a former fellow and current member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), and a member of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC).