Amit Patel is an Indian American cardiac surgeon and Director of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine at the University of Utah. He studied medicine at the Case Western Reserve University. In 2004, he led a "breakthrough" study demonstrating that stem cell transplantation could treat congestive heart failure. He is currently the national lead investigator for Aastrom to treat cardiomyopathy both ischemic and non-ischemic using adult stem cells here in the U.S. He is also lead investigator for a number of trials to use adult stem cells to treat limb ischemia (inadequate blood flow to the leg). He has taught many surgeons around the world in countries such as Thailand and India.Notable patients of his include Hawaiian singer Don Ho; Ho credited Patel's 2005 procedure on him with saving his life and allowing him to return to performing after being forced into retirement for health reasons.