As a recipient, Dr. Desai has demonstrated exceptional progress in increasing immunization rates among adults and pregnant women in the Central Florida community through leadership, innovation, collaboration and educational activities aimed at following ACOG and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) guidance to increase immunization rates among women.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Desai was selected as one of only six providers in the country to receive this honor,” said Suzanne Worthington, interim president of Orlando Health Winnie Palmer. “It’s our duty to educate and protect our vulnerable patient populations, and immunizations can help expectant mothers have a safer pregnancy and delivery.”

Dr. Desai has practiced at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer since 2012, and in 2017, he served as the physician champion of a multidisciplinary team that launched initiatives to enhance immunization rates among patients. The team initially focused on Tdap and Influenza vaccination using visual aids, dedicated weekly rounds and lunch and learn meetings with hospital staff. Recently the team's efforts expanded to include COVID-19 vaccine uptake in the pregnant population. Due to these initiatives, over a two-year period there was an increase of 180% and 550% Influenza and Tdap vaccination administered to admitted patients in the hospital’s antepartum unit.

Dr. Desai is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and maternal-fetal medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of California San Diego and completed his obstetrics and gynecology residency at University of South Florida, where he was also selected as chief resident. He then went on to complete a fellowship in maternal fetal medicine at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine in New York.