Dr. Palwasha Daftani, M.D., is a board-certified family medicine physician and Civil Surgeon with additional certification as a DOT Medical Examiner. She earned her BS from Stony Brook University and her medical degree from St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine. She holds a Master’s in Health Services Administration from St. Joseph’s College of Maine and completed her residency at Hackensack UMC-Mountainside Hospital. Dr. Daftani is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Palwasha Daftani, M.D., is a board-certified family medicine physician and Civil Surgeon with additional certification as a DOT Medical Examiner. She earned her BS from Stony Brook University and her medical degree from St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine. She holds a Master’s in Health Services Administration from St. Joseph’s College of Maine and completed her residency at Hackensack UMC-Mountainside Hospital. Dr. Daftani is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Dr. Palwasha Daftani, M.D., always had a love for art as a child, and imagined herself going into fashion design. She declined a spot at a prestigious fashion design high school in the city to attend high school in Queens. That pivotal move put her on a much different trajectory, one that included a medical education program in her senior year of high school. It was there that she discovered her talent for math and science, and her excitement about a career in medicine. She views medicine as a scientific study and its practice as a form of art.
“We got to explore different health professions, and we took trips to local colleges and once to a research lab,” she said. “They taught us scientific techniques and offered fun opportunities to explore and learn about health care careers and how to prepare an educational path to pursue them. I hadn’t had any female role models growing up who were physicians and so I never thought about it. But once I learned more, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I could already imagine myself doing it.”
She got a jump on college classes during her senior year of high school and went on to earn her biology degree, a medical degree, and a master’s degree in health services administration. She chose family medicine as her specialty because of its comprehensive focus and opportunity for continuity of care.
“In family medicine, we take on a role not just of examining the disease of a patient, but we also explore his or her social and emotional factors,” she said. “It’s a biopsychosocial approach to medicine, and it’s very important in treating patients as a whole.” Dr. Daftani prides herself on being a good listener. “I let my patients talk,” she said. “It’s very rewarding. It also helps to make a better diagnosis when you listen to the full details of their stories.”
The whole-patient focus was one of the aspects that attracted Dr. Daftani to Vanguard Medical Group. “Everyone here works as an advocate for the patient,” she said. “There is also an emphasis on preventive care, which is so important in overall health.”
When she’s not working, Dr. Daftani enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. She is an avid reader and also enjoys exercising and traveling.
Awesome Doctor
The best at her craft, extremely knowledgeable, great listener and trustworthy rapid decision making makes her a great doctor
Dr Daftani is very thorough and very personable. She always remembers me and is on top of my treatment.
Dr. Daftani is a caring professional.
Very knowledgeable and took her time with me for my yearly. Answered questions clearly and very understandable.
Really listens- very kind and knows what she is doing - I feel confident that she cares.
Such a knowledgeable and kind doctor!
Compassionate and concerned.
Extremely knowledgeable and truly is invested
Good Doc