It is our pleasure to welcome Priti Gagneja, MD as a new Board Member of the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara (BCRC). We are grateful for the support of compassionate individuals like Dr. Gagneja and our entire board for their dedication the BCRC.
Silvana Kelly: Why were you moved to join the BCRC Board.
Priti Gagneja: As a female internist, I have many female patients who develop or have a family member or loved one who develops breast cancer. I help my patients navigate through the next steps and provide support. Each person’s journey with breast cancer is so unique. I have patients who have shared with me the outstanding support they’ve received from BCRC. I see the positive difference this support can make in one’s outcome. When I heard about an opportunity to work with BCRC I was thrilled.
A very dear friend of mine has also been diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 44 and serving on the board to help others is my pledge to her health and journey in recovery.
Silvana Kelly: What are some of your personal goals in your new role as BCRC Board member?
Priti Gagneja: I hope to be a better liaison for patients navigating with this diagnosis. I hope to provide insight on matters from a clinical perspective. I hope to represent BCRC’s commitment and support to our community.
Silvana Kelly: When we serve, we look outside of ourselves, beyond our own problems, and seek to bring value to others. What is your personal philosophy of being of service to your community.
Priti Gagneja: Service is one of the pillars of my faith. I was raised to believe that “to deserve anything, you must learn to serve others”
I believe that a community thrives when it’s members contribute and serve each other. Servitude is an expression of love for fellow human beings.
Silvana Kelly: What are some of your favorite things about living in Santa Barbara?
Priti Gagneja: I love the people of SB who seem to know each other, respect each other, and respect the environment and this beautiful city. I love the ocean, long walks, the weather and the architecture.
Silvana Kelly: Is there anything you would like to tell us that most people do not know about you?
Priti Gagneja: I enjoy painting and writing in my spare time.
Dr. Gagneja was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She studied abroad and earned her medical degree in 2003 from Rajiv Gandhi University and medical license from the California Medical Board. She completed Internal Medicine Residency in 2007 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital where she was Chief Resident. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine since 2007 and was elected to the Fellow of the American College of Physicians in 2022.
She lives in Santa Barbara with her husband and three children.
She is active in the community of Santa Barbara, serving as the Past President and as a Director of the Central Coast Medical Society, a Delegate to the California Medical Association where policy and legislation is made to better serve Physicians and Patients. She serves as a Volunteer Physician to Doctors Without Walls, and as a volunteer Board Member for The Breast Care Research Center.
Dr. Gagneja has a unique relationship with her patients. She focuses on their “whole health” by looking closely at all aspects that influence their state of health. She builds mutual trust with her patients so they can forge through the health care needs and goals together.
Internal Medicine entails the practice of prevention, analysis and treatment of medical ailments. Dr. Gagneja is devoted to the art and science of Internal Medicine.