Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Howard Lake clinic welcomes new doctor



HOWARD LAKE, MN – Patients of Dr. Padma Vaela, the new family physician at Ridgeview Clinic in Howard Lake, are met with a warm, friendly smile and caring attitude.

“My goal is to be a good physician and to be able to provide for the community what they need,” said Vaela, whose first day was about a month ago.

Before coming to Ridgeview in Howard Lake, Vaela had been at the Ridgeview Clinic in Excelsior for two-and-a-half years.

Vaela said she will miss her patients in Excelsior, but she is looking forward to developing new relationships in Howard Lake.

“Hopefully, I will get to know the community here,” she said.

Vaela lives in Waconia with her husband, Ravi, who is a pulmonary specialist. They have a 9-year-old son, Arun, and 4-year-old twins, Amar and Maya.

Vaela was born in India, and grew up in England. Her father, who is also a physician, helped Vaela choose her career path.

“He was a great influence,” she said.

Vaela said she finds her work to be very satisfying.

“You get to meet all types of people,” she said.

Vaela gives each patient her best effort, drawing on years of training and on-the-job experience.

“It’s challenging,” she said. “As a family physician, you need to know a little about everything.”

Vaela graduated from medical school in Scotland, and then came to the United States, where she married Ravi, who is from Houston, TX.

Vaela did her residency at Fort Wayne, IN, and the family moved to Minnesota in 2007.

“This is my third winter here,” Vaela said. “I would like to start ice skating and skiing.”

In their free time, the Vaela family enjoys traveling to various parts of the world. A few of their favorite destinations include England, India, Texas, and Disney World.

Vaela can be reached at Ridgeview Clinic in Howard Lake by calling (320) 543-2591.

The clinic is attached to the Security State Bank building at 900 6th Street.

For more information about Ridgeview Clinic, go to www.ridgeviewmedical.org.

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