Life is about learning, and the newest doctor at Medical Group of the Carolinas loves to learn.

When pediatrician Adarsh Kancharla, MD, didn’t know a lot about syncope – a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure – the doctor ended up co-authoring three papers on the topic.

“If I don’t know something, I want to spend time learning about it,” Dr. Kancharla said. “Even now, I learn something new every day.”

Today, Dr. Kancharla brings that curiosity and almost two decades of experience as a doctor and a professor to Medical Group of the Carolinas – Center for Pediatrics.

A life of learning

Dr. Kancharla was born in India and studied medicine at the Rangaraya Medical College. He worked at hospitals in India until externships led him to Baton Rouge, La., and Chicago. He also took on a role as a clinical observer and research assistant at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Dr. Kancharla became interested in pediatrics, and his passion for learning led him to an internship in Wisconsin. He described his work for the Marshfield Clinic as “challenging,” and it cemented his decision to become a pediatrician.

“That’s what made me who I am today,” Dr. Kancharla said.

Completion of a three-year pediatric residency led Dr. Kancharla to West Virginia University in Martinsburg, W.Va., where he became an assistant professor in pediatrics and served patients at an area medical office.

It was not an affluent area. The nearest pediatric intensive care unit was in Washington, D.C.

“Sick patients were being transported over two hours away, and sometimes caregivers didn’t have a car or money to stay there,” Dr. Kancharla said.

Dr. Kancharla and his colleagues decided to admit mild to moderately sick children at Berkeley Medical Center, creating an intermediate care unit that could manage some of these patients depending upon the needs of the moment.

A sense of accomplishment

Dr. Kancharla’s passion for learning extends to his patients. One of the first questions he asks during a patient visit is, “Do you have any questions?”

“Sometimes, a parent or child doesn’t know when to ask questions,” Dr. Kancharla said. “So I ask them, because I want families to feel comfortable that all their questions have been answered.”

Dr. Kancharla encourages patients and their families to call him back with any questions after the visit. Patients can also ask their questions through their MyChart portal.

Dr. Kancharla loves treating children and teens because they tend to respond well to treatment. He also likes keeping up with families as the years go by.

“It gives me a sense of accomplishment to see my patients grow,” Dr. Kancharla said.

Dr. Kancharla has two children and his wife is also a pediatrician. They are “outdoor people” and spend their spare time gardening, running, biking, hiking, golfing and playing tennis or cricket. He’s looking forward to trying a local cricket club he has found.

“I love traveling, and I love food,” Dr. Kancharla said. “Food is culture.”

But mostly Dr. Kancharla spends his time learning new ways to serve his patients well. Being a doctor is a huge responsibility, and Dr. Kancharla said he strives to always be caring and engaged.

“I enjoy what I do,” Dr. Kancharla said. “I like challenges in my job. I get up every day wanting to do my job.”

Does your family need a pediatrician? Dr. Adarsh Kancharla is accepting patients. Call 864-560-6287.