Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kartika Shetty. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Kartika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

One of the most defining moments in my life was making the decision to leave everything familiar behind and coming to the United States to pursue my medical residency. It was a bold leap of faith, traveling over 10,000 miles from India to a country where I had no family and only one close friend.
After landing at Los Angeles International Airport, I vividly remember using a payphone, an actual coin-operated phone, since I didn’t have an active cell phone network to call my friend and let him know I had arrived safely. That small but symbolic moment marked the beginning of a journey filled with hope and determination.
Perhaps I was too young and naive at the time to fully grasp the gravity of that decision or how profoundly it would shape the course of my life. But looking back now, with the benefit of experience and perspective, I can say without a doubt that it was the defining moment. It set everything in motion-the growth, challenges, resilience, and ultimately the life I’ve built here.
My journey taught me how to thrive in unfamiliar environments, how to find strength in solitude, and how to build something meaningful from the ground up. It also gave me deep empathy for others who find themselves far from home and inspired me to mentor others navigating their own journey.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an Internal Medicine physician, practicing in Las Vegas since 2007. My journey began with medical training in India, followed by residency in the U.S., and patient care both in the hospital as a hospitalist and in the clinic as an internist. Over the past 15 years, in addition to caring for patients, I’ve mentored residents, held various hospital leadership roles, led hospitalist teams, and, most recently, built my own primary care clinic: Health Path Clinics.
I believe that achieving optimal health is an ongoing journey, which inspired the name of our clinic. At Health Path Clinics, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based primary care with a strong focus on prevention, lifestyle medicine, and long-term continuity. We’re especially committed to addressing the gaps in access to high-quality primary care in Southern Nevada, something I’ve witnessed firsthand over the years. We’re a small but growing practice focused on maintaining clinical excellence, cultural humility, and patient-first values.
I believe in empowering patients with knowledge, earning their trust, and walking the health journey with them. I bring that same philosophy into my leadership roles. As the Program Director of an Internal Medicine residency program and Facility Medical Director at MountainView Hospital, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring future physicians and shaping clinical culture on a broader level.
I believe one of the highest callings of leadership is to create more leaders, and that principle guides me how I approach both my clinic and my educational programs.
What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built along the way. It’s those everyday moments like when a patient feels truly heard, when a resident grows into a confident and independent physician, or when my clinic team comes together with a shared sense of purpose that give this work its purpose and makes it deeply fulfilling.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A big lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the instinct to do everything myself. Early in my career and leadership, I wanted to direct every detail. At the time, I thought it was about maintaining high standards, but in hindsight, it was more about perfectionism and the concern of not getting it right if I didn’t do it myself.
Over time, I came to realize that perfectionism can limit growth- my own growth, the growth of the team, and even the progress of the project itself. I’ve learned that delegation isn’t just about handing off tasks, rather it’s about building trust, giving people the space to take ownership, and helping them develop along the way.
I truly believe that the mark of a good leader is how many leaders they help create in turn. That idea has stuck with me and changed how I lead. Letting go of control doesn’t mean letting go of quality, it means creating space for capable people to step up, contribute, and shine. And often, they do it in ways I wouldn’t have even thought of.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Over the last 15+ years of practice, I’ve learned that reputation takes years to build and ongoing effort to maintain. In my case, it’s the result of consistency, high standards, fairness, a calm demeanor, and a genuine commitment to doing the right thing—even when no one is watching.
One principle that has guided me throughout my career is patient ownership. I take full responsibility for the care I provide, and I believe that kind of accountability resonates not just with patients but also with colleagues and care teams. I’ve always tried to uphold strong work ethics, be transparent, and treat everyone with respect and fairness.
Years ago, I took a leadership self-assessment called the Sperduto, which quite accurately identified fairness as one of my core strengths. This trait, I believe, has helped me build trust and credibility over time. Whether people agree or disagree with me, I think most would say I’m consistent and even-handed in my approach.
On the personality side, some residents have nicknamed me “Human Xanax,” a lighthearted reference to my calm nature. While some of that comes naturally and from my medical training, much of it has been developed through intentional effort. Over time, I’ve trained myself to pause, listen to all sides, and respond thoughtfully. Additionally, I continually learn and apply principles of stoicism and self-forgiveness, which have further deepened that mindset. These practices have helped me stay grounded during conflict, lead with clarity under pressure, and extend grace to others and myself when things don’t go as planned. I believe these qualities have all played a role in how I’m perceived and trusted in the field.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://healthpathclinics.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthpath_clinics/reel/DGqjQP-PSN2/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079582730910
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/health-path-clinics-las-vegas

Image Credits

Dr. Kartika Shetty, MD, FACP.