Driven to Serve

Extraordinary Alumnus on Remarkable Trajectory

Adeel Faruki ’12, a biology alumnus, is quick to display his sunny outlook, infectious smile and enthusiasm for all things involved with taking care of patients. These instantly likable qualities, in concert with his obvious intelligence and leadership skills, have earned him one opportunity after another. The latest three announcements reflect his gift for leadership and his fascination with health care innovation.

First, having completed his residency in anesthesiology and pain medications at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-Harvard Medical School in 2020, Faruki accepted his “dream” position at the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Denver. He is in a two-year nonclinical fellowship for operations, executive leadership and innovation.

“I am incredibly blessed,” Faruki said.

During this fellowship period, he also assumes his first faculty position in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. And third, Faruki has begun work on his Executive MBA in Health Administration at the University of Colorado in Denver.

A Guiding Philosophy: Caring for Patients

The grandson and younger brother of physicians said his goal is always to take care of patients.

“That’s what guided me through medical school when I spent 15 hours a day studying,” Faruki said.

Caring for patients is what Faruki did tirelessly on the pandemic front lines while completing his residency in Boston. Ahead of him now is a slightly different path.

Drawn to Innovation

“Down the road, I can see myself being drawn to the role of chief innovation officer,” he said.

Faruki envisions himself seeking out novel technology software or hardware and bringing it into the hospital to improve patient care and outcomes.

“In the last two years, I’ve worked with companies that improve how patients relate to their providers using text messaging,” Faruki recalled. “Providers would text ‘Hey, you should eat these foods before your colonoscopy’ or ‘Make sure you take these pills before your procedure.’ I saw patient satisfaction go up and patient outcomes get better. Companies are developing software like this, and the chief innovation officer connects those dots.”

UST’s Culture of Mentorship

Reflecting on his achievements, Faruki acknowledged the benefits of UST’s culture of mentorship.

“My career would not have developed without the mentorship I received from the professors within UST’s Biology Department,” he said. “Their offices were always open, and they knew me by name. You excel when you have good mentors.”

One of those mentors, Dr. Rosemarie Rosell, professor of biology, remembers being Faruki’s freshman advisor.

“His humor had me laughing out loud, and his intellect was apparent by the insightful questions he posed,” she said. “I immediately asked him to join my research team — as a freshman! Today, he is the same laughing, compassionate person I met in 2008. He is a true physician, and I would be ecstatic to have him as my own.”

With evident affection for his undergraduate campus, Faruki was responsible for starting the cardiac and neuro summer camps at University of St. Thomas.

In reaction to his latest academic and medical career accomplishments, Rosell said he deserves every recognition.

“He is one of UST’s brightest stars.” 

Learn more about UST’s Biology Department: stthom.edu/biology