I Have Energy Again — and My Family Feels It

Since joining DocPanel, everything about my day-to-day life has changed.

I have energy. Energy for my family. Energy to read more volume than I ever thought I could handle. And energy at the end of the day. I’m smiling when I log off. I’m present with my family, and they’ve noticed.

I’m home for dinner every night, out with my family every weekend, and present at all of my kids’ events. Recently, I dropped my son off at a tennis tournament. He needed my support and asked me to stay. The answer was simple: I stayed. I stopped work in the middle of the day, no questions asked, and finished my cases later that night and early the next morning.

That kind of flexibility wasn’t even on the table before. Now, it’s my norm.

Freedom Over Friction

I spent seven years in hospital and corporate medicine. My time at Advocate Aurora was rewarding. I worked alongside great people, served in a large, complex system, and handled a high volume of clinical and administrative work. But over time, the balance between work and life collapsed.

Nights and weekends disappeared. My kids were getting older, and as the organization kept merging and scaling, I started to feel like a cog in the machine.

I didn’t want to leave cardiothoracic radiology. I just needed to practice it differently.

Why I Chose Cardiac & Chest Imaging

My background is in biomedical engineering with a concentration in medical imaging. Early on, I was fascinated by the technical side of radiology, especially MRI. But as I transitioned into clinical practice, I realized how much I valued the patient care side of the work.

I had a phenomenal mentor in cardiothoracic radiology and everything clicked. The critical thinking required in chest imaging combined with the technical promise of cardiac MRI, which was just gaining traction at the time, made it the perfect fit for me.

Over the years, I’ve built deep expertise in cardiac MRI, cardiac CT, and chest imaging. I especially enjoy helping patients with all facets of heart disease as well as  interstitial lung disease and lung cancer. Reading for DocPanel has really helped me focus on the impact subspecialty reads have on patient care, which for me meant bringing back the joy of medicine.

What Remote Cardiothoracic Radiology Looks Like

Today, I read full-time with DocPanel, and the setup is exactly what I needed. I’m able to focus entirely on subspecialized chest and cardiac imaging without having to be in an increasingly challenging academic environment. 

The pressure in academia these days is intense, with ever-growing clinical and research demands. At DocPanel, I still read complex, high-impact cases, but without the extra obligations that don’t align with my goals. I get to practice cardiothoracic radiology at an academic level, without the baggage.

And if I ever want to shift gears and take on general or body imaging again, that option is always there. Nothing is boxed in or forced. It’s truly subspecialty reading — without the strings.

I also get to provide second opinions, which is incredibly meaningful. In one recent case, my read helped a patient avoid an unnecessary procedure. That’s the kind of impact I want to keep making, and now I get to do it on my terms.

Finding a Better Path with DocPanel

When I began looking for a change, I wasn’t sure what I was searching for. I just knew it needed to offer more flexibility without pulling me away from my subspecialty.

DocPanel quickly stood out. Once I got to know the team, it became clear that this wasn’t just another telerad platform. The company is built around quality care and treating radiologists with respect. I didn’t feel like a number. I felt like a partner.

If you’re a chest or cardiac radiologist looking for more autonomy, more respect, more flexibility — I can’t recommend DocPanel enough.

Don’t overthink it. The traditional model offers the illusion of enhanced stability, but this setup is just as stable. I’ve found the same reliability, plus the freedom and fulfillment that were missing before. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Dr. Rahul Sawlani has had a long and successful career in cardiothoracic imaging in all facets, including research, leadership, and clinical excellence. He spent six years as Chair of Cardiothoracic Imaging at a large quaternary cardiopulmonary referral center in addition to involvement in several other operational leadership roles. Most importantly, he spent those six years building a high quality cardiopulmonary imaging program with a strong focus on patient care and outcomes. More recently, Dr. Sawlani transitioned to a faculty position at University of California-Davis.

Dr. Sawlani also has a long history in research that has kept him up to date on the latest advancements in his field, including first author publication in the premier radiology journal "Radiology". Dr. Sawlani prides himself on giving each patient the best care possible. For him, there is no better moment than knowing you've made a difference in a patient's life.

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