Dr. Sagar’s collaboration with Dr. Rahbar at LA Integrative GI & Nutrition is based on a similar mindset and passion for optimizing the health and wellness of patients and the community being served. Human beings are highly complex, multidimensional organisms. A holistic approach to health and medicine is fundamental to understanding and effectively working with these dimensions. Our practice will focus on making our patients fully engaged and in control of their health. Decision-making then becomes a shared process with the patient at the center.
Dr. Sagar aims to shift the paradigm from “problem-focused care to a “Whole Person Approach to Digestive Care”--the same philosophy we have endorsed at LA Integrative Gastroenterology. She strives to empower patients to reach their goals in their journey to recovery. Dr. Sagar is a committed advocate for those patients who suffer from debilitating or chronic diseases. Dr. Sagar works meticulously with her patients to “heal” the gut and focus on mind and body connection, thus improving their overall health and quality of life.
Dr. Sagar received her medical school training in India and graduated with a Gold Medal distinction. The highly regarded internal medicine residency at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein University accepted her. During her residency, she distinguished herself and was appointed Chief Resident in Internal Medicine. This position allowed her to teach internal medicine to medical students and residents. She also learned aspects of administrative work while supervising over 100 internal medicine residents. Dr. Sagar then pursued her interest in gastroenterology and received her Gastroenterology and Hepatology Fellowship training at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein University and University of California, San Francisco, Fresno.
Dr. Sagar dedicated a year to research at the UCLA Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). One project titled “Tight Control Scenario Surgery” studied IBD patients who undergo surgery for their disease. The project included holistic interventions like health coaching, Yoga, and meditation, which resulted in helping patients recover with less stress in their homes. This approach to care prevented ER visits and readmissions to hospitals. She has been heavily involved in clinical research and has authored many research articles and poster board presentations. [For more info, please see Dr’s resume]
Dr. Sagar was recognized with the “Young Achiever” Award at the National American College of Physicians (ACP) meeting in 2014 for her accomplishments and work.
Dr. Sagar joined the Ventura County health care system in 2019, where she worked as a medical director for the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. In a small amount of her time there, she helped to redefine an entire department.
With growing access issues before COVID-19 and significant constraints during the pandemic, vital endoscopic procedures and GI care were severely at risk. With grit and determination, she worked with the hospital administration to allocate resources and redesign workflow, thus improving access to quality GI care in the community.
In 2020, she received the “Innovator of the Year” award for inspiring the most change in the health care system in Ventura County.
Dr. Sagar has been a valued leader, teacher, and doctor of the VCMC Medical System for four years before starting her unique GI practice to follow her passion for helping patients with gut conditions integratively, combining a Western/traditional approach with holistic medicine.
Dr. Sagar is double board certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and hepatology. She is also completing her fellowship from the Academy of Integrative and Holistic Medicine (AIHM) to serve her patients better.
Dr. Sagar firmly believes in a holistic approach to caring for her patients. She trusts that you, as a patient, know your body better than anyone else. Her role is not just to treat you but to help you comprehend your illness better. She provides care based on proven scientific evidence and draws on her extensive experience treating numerous other patients. She aims to guide you through your health journey, ensuring you feel informed and empowered at each step.
