Vidush Athyal, MD
ABS Treasurer
2023 - 2027

I was born and raised in India. My family moved to the United States during my high school years, and I did some of my initial training in California. I graduated with a biochemistry degree from Azusa Pacific University and then proceeded to complete my Master of Public Health at Loma Linda University. I did some of my MD medical training in Israel at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in association with Columbia University, NY. I completed my residency in family medicine at the University of Rochester in New York—continuing there to complete a fellowship in Faculty Development & Behavioral Sciences. I was eager to return to California and found Kaiser Permanente to be the perfect environment for me. I live with my wife and family in the North County of San Diego.

About My Practice

I am board-certified in family medicine and love seeing patients of all ages. My practice allows me to do minor surgery, psychiatry, and some obstetrics care. I chose family medicine because it allows me to build long-term relationships with people and their families. I am core faculty in our family medicine residency program and Director of Behavioral Sciences & Scholarly Activity. I am also involved in our regional GME serving to develop faculty development, wellness and research. Other ways I serve are being the physician administrator of our International Travel Clinic helping over 30,000 patients in Southern California. I am also an associate professor at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine.

How I Thrive

I enjoy the wonderful sunshine and ethnic diversity that San Diego offers. My wife and I love to experience various global cuisines and cultural activities. We also take every opportunity to travel and see different parts of the world. Our families are in India, and we visit there often. We enjoy the fellowship of our church family and friends over the weekends. I enjoy taking photographs to document the best of life. As my father always said, “Live it up!”

How I Balint

I was first introduced to Balint Groups during my family medicine residency but only realized its full potential after completing my first Balint Intensive. I realized that I had finally found my “professional family”. I have been leading a Balint Group at our residency since 2010. I have had some role on the American Balint Society (ABS) Council since 2017 and currently serve as an officer as the Treasurer. I have served on multiple committees -including the Communications & Marketing Committee, Online Balint Committee and chair of the Scholarly Activities Committee and Membership Taskforce. I completed the ABS Leader Credentialing Diploma in 2021.