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About
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
Taking care of my patients gives me an immense sense of peace and fulfillment. I feel “useful” as a being when I can help my patients and their families through an illness and the tough time it brings.
I’m a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician with University Health. I specialize in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung fibrosis, respiratory failure, shock, sepsis among various other conditions pertaining to lungs and ICU.
My strong love for science is what grew my passion for medicine. I naturally gravitated toward the field of medicine because it beautifully merges the pursuit of scientific knowledge with the deep responsibility of serving others.
Philosophy of Care
My philosophy of care stems from my roots: giving is the purest form of service.
I believe that to truly give back to the world, we must become the best version of ourselves — professionally and personally. I care for every patient with compassion, clinical excellence and a deep sense of duty.
Favorite Parts of Medicine
Helping patients feel better and breathe easier
Supporting, healing and hope in critical moments
Mentoring and educating the next generation of physicians
Hobbies
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time, reading and cooking — which allows me to unwind and reconnect with the simple joys of everyday life.
Video
Articles & Publications
Journal Articles
Cohen RA, Rose CS, Go LHT, Zell-Baran LM, Almberg KS, Sarver EA, Lowers HA, Iwaniuk C, Clingerman SM, Richardson DL, Abraham JL, Cool CD, Franko AD, Hubbs AF, Murray J, Orandle MS, Sanyal S, Vorajee NI, Petsonk EL, Zulfikar R, Green FHY. Pathology and Mineralogy Demonstrate Respirable Crystalline Silica Is a Major Cause of Severe Pneumoconiosis in U.S. Coal Miners. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2022 Sep;19(9):1469-1478. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202109-1064OC. PMID: 35353671; PMCID: PMC9447385.
Piamjariyakul U, Smothers A, Young S, Petitte T, Wen S, Morrissey E, Shafique S, Zulfikar R, Sangani R, Smith CE. Palliative care for rare advanced lung diseases in underserved Appalachia: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. J Adv Nurs. 2020 Aug;76(8):2182-2190. doi: 10.1111/jan.14395. Epub 2020 May 2. PMID: 32297352; PMCID: PMC7572472.
Sangani RG, Deepak V, Ghio AJ, Forte MJ, Zulfikar R, Patel Z, King A, Alshaikhnassir E, Abbas G, Vos J. Interstitial lung abnormalities and interstitial lung diseases associated with cigarette smoking in a rural cohort undergoing surgical resection. BMC Pulm Med. 2022 Apr 29;22(1):172. doi: 10.1186/s12890-022-01961-9. PMID: 35488260; PMCID: PMC9055776.
Piamjariyakul U, Shapiro AL, Wang K, Zulfikar R, Petitte T, Shafique S, Smith CE. Impact of Sleep Apnea, Daytime Sleepiness, Comorbidities, and Depression on Patients' Heart Failure Health Status. Clin Nurs Res. 2021 Nov;30(8):1222-1230. doi: 10.1177/10547738211015545. Epub 2021 May 12. PMID: 33978519; PMCID: PMC12998094.
Piamjariyakul U, Smothers A, Young S, Morrissey E, Petitte T, Wen S, Zulfikar R, Sangani R, Shafique S, Smith CE, Bosak K. Verifying intervention fidelity procedures for a palliative home care intervention with pilot study results. Res Nurs Health. 2021 Oct;44(5):854-863. doi: 10.1002/nur.22166. Epub 2021 Jun 30. PMID: 34196013; PMCID: PMC8440457.
Sangani R, Rojas E, Forte M, Zulfikar R, Prince N, Tasoglou A, Goldsmith T, Casuccio G, Boyd J, Olfert IM, Flanagan M, Sharma S. Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI): A Rural Appalachian Experience. Hosp Pract (1995). 2021 Apr;49(2):79-87. doi: 10.1080/21548331.2020.1843282. Epub 2021 Jan 21. PMID: 33136442; PMCID: PMC8371980.
Mittal A, Baig A, Zulfikar R, Sharma S. Chronic Vaping Related Tracheomalacia (TM): A Case of Vaping Induced Altered Innate Immunity that Culminated in Severe TM. Cureus. 2020 Apr 7;12(4):e7571. doi: 10.7759/cureus.7571. PMID: 32391220; PMCID: PMC7205362..
Leonard R, Zulfikar R, Stansbury R. Coal mining and lung disease in the 21st century. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2020 Mar;26(2):135-141. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000653. PMID: 31815751.
Call 210-358-4000 to request an appointment with this doctor.