Desai, Kinjal

Graduated Class of 2009

Honored 2026

Dr. Kinjal Desai is a pediatric cardiac intensivist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia University.

She grew up in New Milford and is a proud member of the New Milford High School Class of 2009. During her time at New Milford High School, she was actively involved in Mock Trial, Debate Team, Math League, and Tennis while maintaining a strong commitment to academic excellence.

After graduation, she attended Rutgers University, where she majored in Cell Biology and Neuroscience and minored in Art History. She then earned her medical degree from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School before completing her Pediatrics Residency at Cohen Children's Medical Center on Long Island, followed by fellowships in Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Critical Care at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital/ Columbia University.

Today, Dr. Desai specializes in the care of critically ill children with congenital and acquired heart disease, helping lead the treatment of some of the most complex cardiac patients in the country. She is also an educator, mentor, and published researcher whose work focuses on improving outcomes in the ICU and training the next generation of physicians.

Dr. Desai remains connected to the community that helped shape her. She lives in Bergen County with her husband, Shilp, and their two sons, Armaan and Veer, and enjoys painting and baking in her spare time. She is honored to return to New Milford High School to celebrate the Class of 2026 and share in this important milestone.