On September 5th Nephrology Associates announced Dr. Patel was fired from the practice.
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Sandra Clay, a Chattanooga resident, says, "He [Vikul Patel] ruined his life by a bad decision.
A decision that started on the internet and ended in Rossville, Georgia, according to the FBI.
Clay adds, "I think it's absolutely awful."
Vikul Patel, 35, works at Nephrology Associates in Chattanooga, but in his down time, authorities say Patel liked to chat on the internet to children, or who he thought were children.
Clay adds, "What's shocking to me is when any adult is drawn to a child, and it's just horrible, that's the most horrible thing."
The FBI says Patel was really chatting with undercover agents.
They say he dicussed wanting to have sex with a child, and then physically drove to Rossville to carry out the act.
Clay says, "And the fact that he is a doctor makes it worse."
Clay goes to the same doctor's office that Patel works at, but says luckily, she never had him for a doctor.
Clay adds, "I believe that when a doctor is involved, it's an ultimate betrayal of trust because they take an oath to first do no harm."
Patel has had his license to practice in Tennessee for almost four years.
His specialty is Nephrology, or the study of kidney diseases, and he does not just have the ability to practice at Nephrology Associates, but he actually has staff privileges at all the area hospitals.
We caught up with Memorial by phone to ask them what is next for a doctor in this situation.
Lisa McCluskey, Vice President of Marketing and Communications with Memorial, says, "If there would be a conviction after an arrest, then the individual would be dismissed from our medical staff."
So, it could be business as usual for Patel until this case goes to court.
Patel is charged with attempted child molestation and violation of the computer pornography act.
