To broaden its services and expand access to care for the community, St. Luke’s Hospital is pleased to announce Vinit K. Agrawal, MD, has joined the staff of Foothills Medical Associates, 801 W. Mills St., Columbus. Foothills Medical Associates, a member of the St. Luke’s Physician Network, now features two physicians, Dr. Agrawal and Dr. Jeff Viar, as well as two certified Physician Assistants, Janet Howell and Mike Bradey. 

The appointment of Dr. Agrawal is a key component of St. Luke’s Hospital’s 2017-2021 Strategic Plan, part of which is improving and expanding access to care in local communities to ensure Polk County and neighboring residents are afforded patient-focused healthcare close to home. 

“Foothills Medical Associates has made great strides recently to better serve our clients and community,” said Dr. Jeffrey Viar, Foothills’ medical director. “Dr. Agrawal’s arrival builds on our commitment to provide high quality, personalized, comprehensive healthcare to our community that will have a positive impact on their health.” 

Dr. Agrawal, board eligible in Internal Medicine, completed a three-year residency in June 2017 in Internal Medicine at Northside Medical Center, affiliated with ValleyCare Health System in Youngstown, Ohio. He previously served as research assistant at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York where he focused on the evaluation of human immune responses in patients with tuberculosis. 

Dr. Agrawal also brings experience with acute care, and with rheumatology and pulmonology treatment. He graduated from the Medical College and Hospital of Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with a bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery. He is the recipient several academic honors, and he speaks English, Hindi and Bengali fluently. 

“Dr. Agrawal has a top-notch clinical education background and a strong passion for providing community-based care,” Dr. Viar said. “Dr. Agrawal, his wife and daughter are excited about being part of our community.” 

Dr. Viar, an active member of the Polk County community since 2000, explained that the addition of Dr. Agrawal is an effort to enhance treatment options for the community in a convenient, welcoming environment. 

“I immediately recognized that this is where I wanted to practice medicine. The staff truly cares for their patients and the patients are cared for like family,” Dr. Agrawal said. “I look forward to seeing patients and working with them to maintain good health and to improve health for all.” 

For more information on Foothills Medical Associates or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Agrawal, please call 828-894-5627. 

Submitted by Kathy Woodham