Dr. Akbar to Join JCH&L as Family Medicine Physician

Syed Akbar, DO, will join JCH&L in early 2026 as a family medicine physician. Dr. Akbar will care for patients in the Fairbury Clinic and will provide emergency department coverage. While his schedule will be part-time, he will have regularly scheduled clinic hours, so patients will be able to choose him as their primary care provider.

Dr. Akbar finds a sense of connection in rural areas. He grew up in a small town, completed post graduate training in New York City, and has practiced in rural Alabama.

“When I came to visit Fairbury, I immediately felt that connection. I had a chance to attend a football game and tailgate, and the warmth and friendliness of everyone I met – especially the physical therapy crew on the sidelines – really stood out,” Dr. Akbar said. “JCH&L’s commitment to being a trusted partner for a lifetime of health resonates deeply with me. I was looking for more than just a hospital; I was looking for a community to serve be a part of, and I found that here.”

Holly Wolff, JCH&L CEO, said that JCH&L is being creative in staffing models to return to a fully staffed family medicine clinic.

“While Dr. Akbar is starting with us on a part-time basis, he is willing to keep a schedule that allows him to care for patients and provide regular follow-up, as well as cover the emergency department ,” Wolff said. “Our hope is that Dr. Akbar will be able to transition to full-time at a later date.”

Rural medicine is all about relationships – and Dr. Akbar said that is what he loves most about rural medicine.

“You’re not just treating a patient; you’re caring for a neighbor, a friend, the person you see at the grocery store or at the Friday night football game. You get to see the whole picture and build lasting relationships with families over generations,” Dr. Akbar said.

He said that the variety of medicine a rural physician is able to provide is also incredibly rewarding.

“In a single day you can go from treating a child with a cold to managing a complex chronic illness in an older adult. It challenges you to be a better, more well-rounded physician, and that’s a challenge I’ve always embraced,” Dr. Akbar said.

His philosophy is one of partnership with patients.

“I believe that good medicine is built on trust and open communication. My role is to listen, to understand the whole person – not just their symptoms – and to work together to create a plan that fits their life and their goals,” Dr. Akbar said.

He said he is a firm believer that “healthy lives take root here.”

“I see myself as a gardener, helping to plant the seeds of health and wellness that will flourish for years to come. It’s about providing not just healthcare, but lifecare,” Dr. Akbar said.

Dr. Akbar received his doctor of osteopathic medicine from Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a board-eligible family medicine physician. He completed internal medicine residency training at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital at MSU, and family medicine residency training at Montefiore Hospital/Albert Einstein Medical.

Outside of work he enjoys working on his old car, painting, and walking with his mini-Aussie doodle. He enjoys football and is looking forward to many more local games.

“I’m eager to put down roots in Fairbury and become a familiar, friendly face that people can count on,” Dr. Akbar said.