If you’re a resident dreaming of DPC or an early DPC doc staring at an empty panel, this episode is your proof that you can start from nothing and still win.

Dr. Catherine Lok opened River Rock Clinic in Asheville with zero patients, got hit by a clinic-destroying hurricane, and still built a thriving, values-aligned DPC micropractice

Who it’s for:

• Residents planning to launch a DPC straight out of training

• Early-stage DPC docs who need reassurance, strategy, and proof that you can build from nothing.

  
  

You’ll learn:

• How Dr. Lok opened with zero patients, survived a clinic-destroying hurricane, and still built River Rock Clinic in Asheville, NC.

• The one thing she wishes she’d done sooner

• Why networking outperforms ads for patient growth.

• How SEO + local-specific blogs filled her schedule fast and the exact blog topic that performed best.

• The power of micro practice creativity: shaping your day, your clinic flow, and your life with intention.

• Her approach to mutual aid, community collaboration, and combating DPC isolation

• Practical tips on labs, OMT as an access funnel, and reducing specialty referrals with time-rich care.

Guest:Dr. Catherine Lok, founder of River Rock Clinic DPC (Asheville, NC). DO, integrative-leaning primary care, OMT practitioner, champion of DPC mutual aid and community-building.

Want help taking the first steps?

DM me “DPC” on LinkedIn and I’ll send you the 5-Day DPC Confidence Course: short, residency‑friendly emails with concrete daily actions to move you toward opening.

Guest links:

Website: riverrockclinic.com

Email available on site for DPC questions & meet-and-greets.

Who it’s for: Docs launching their DPC in the next 12 months who want a pitch that attracts the right patients and protects their time.

You’ll learn:

• The biggest patient pain (access) and how to promise speed they believe, without burning out.

• A simple, believable elevator pitch (same/next‑day visits + direct text with response windows).

• How to counter “I already have insurance” without sounding defensive.

• Boundaries that increase satisfaction and retention (access rules, not 24/7).

  
  

Guest:

Dr. Jaclyn Harris, Desert DPC (Peoria, AZ). Military IM → opened DPC → sharpening the pitch.

Get the goods:

Planning your DPC on the low-down? DM “DPC” to me on LinkedIn and I’ll send you the 5-day DPC Confidence Course. Private, 1:1 and stealth‑friendly.

Connect with Dr. Jaclyn Harris:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertdpc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjaclynharris/

Desert DPC: https://www.desertdpc.com/

Who this is for: Primary care physicians quietly planning a DPC launch in the next year, or newly opened and figuring it out on a budget without an existing panel.

In this coaching session, you’ll learn:

• What to focus on first when you’re starting from zero (no panel, smaller or non-urban market)

• How to clarify your niche and message without limiting your reach

• The truth about “boosting a post” versus running a real marketing campaign

• Simple, low-cost ways to grow your first email list (think local partners, mom groups, and community visibility)

• Why clear, simple messaging outperforms clever complexity and how to simplify yours this week
  

Summary: Dr. Jo Ann Beltre, founder of Wander Care Pediatrics in NH, opens up about her early wins and roadblocks launching a pediatric + urgent care DPC from scratch. Together, we map her next steps to grow with clarity and confidence.

Guest Links:

🌐 Wander Care Pediatrics

📘 Facebook: Wander Care Pediatrics

📸 Instagram: @wandercarenh

🧭 Want the highlights?

If you’re planning a DPC in the next 12 months, clarity is your best shortcut.

Get the free 5-day DPC Confidence Course — your roadmap to launch with clarity, systems, and confidence.👉 https://harmonyopshealth.com/dpc-confidence-course

In this honest, laughter-filled conversation with Dr. Rachel Kelly, we open up about what it’s really like running a DPC practice from the early days of burnout to finally finding our rhythm.

We share the growing pains, the unexpected lessons, and the small but powerful shifts that helped us build more sustainable systems. From redefining boundaries to choosing the right EMR, we walk through the messy middle of practice ownership and why it’s worth it.

Whether you’re just starting your DPC journey or refining the one you’ve built, this episode is packed with lessons, stories, and encouragement from our own experience in the trenches.

We talk about:

• How setting boundaries early shapes your relationships with patients and protects your peace.

• Why DPC EMRs are built for doctors and fee-for-service EMRs are built for administrators.

• The lessons you can only learn once you’re in it.

• Why understanding yourself first helps you build systems that actually work for you not against you.

  
  

In this conversation, we share the real side of running a DPC practice, the challenges that surprised us, the systems that saved us, and the lessons we wish we knew sooner. It’s about learning to lead with intention and finding balance while building something meaningful.

Resources Mentioned

Cerbo — https://www.cer.bo/who-we-serve/direct-primary-care

Athenahealth (Athena) — https://www.athenahealth.com/

Atlas.md — https://atlas.md/

Hint Health — https://www.hint.com/

Elation Health — https://www.elationhealth.com/

Spruce Health — https://sprucehealth.com/

Direct Primary Care Alliance (DPCA) — https://www.dpcalliance.org/

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the DPC Life Podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend! Your reviews help more doctors discover these real conversations about Direct Primary Care.

Have an idea for a future topic or guest? Email us at anne@crescendooperations.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Ready to transform your practice? Follow DPC Life for more real stories and behind-the-scenes conversations about Direct Primary Care.

Building your own DPC practice? We've got you covered with tools built by a DPC doc (me!), for DPC docs:

• ⁠⁠Harmony Ops Health ⁠⁠helps you streamline operations and automate the tasks that eat up your time.

• ⁠⁠DPC Ads in Minutes ⁠⁠shows you how to get simple, effective ads running without the overwhelm.

𝗡𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻? 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽.Get the 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝟱-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗣𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 - your roadmap to launch with clarity, systems, and confidence.👉 ⁠https://harmonyopshealth.com/dpc-confidence-course

In this episode of DPC Life, we sit down with Dr. Maryal Concepcion, MD, FAAFP, a board-certified family physician and California native with Filipino roots.

Dr. Maryal is the founder of Big Trees MD and the creator and host of the My DPC Story Podcast, now entering its sixth season. She shares her journey from burnout to balance and how a moment of anger and clarity while pregnant led her to build a life and practice she no longer needed to escape from.

From being let go from her job to launching a thriving DPC practice in rural California, her story is a testament to courage, boundaries, and the belief that medicine can be human again.

We talk about:

• Why DPC is “old-school medicine with modern technology”

• How storytelling became her tool for advocacy and healing

• The role of boundaries as a form of self-care

• How to build a practice that supports both your patients and your life

• The rise of new collaborations like the DPC Directory and RiseUP Summit

• And what it really looks like to reclaim your time, joy, and voice as a physician

  
  

Dr. Concepcion’s story is both a personal awakening and a rallying call for physicians everywhere who want to practice medicine on their own terms and rediscover who they are outside of the system.

Connect with Dr. Maryal Concepcion

My DPC Story Podcast

Big Trees MD

Resources Mentioned

RiseUP Summit: The virtual physician summit on DPC, Direct Contracting, and Locums

Learn more: flexmedstaff.com/riseup

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the DPC Life Podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend! Your reviews help more doctors discover these real conversations about Direct Primary Care.

Have an idea for a future topic or guest? Email us at anne@crescendooperations.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Ready to transform your practice? Follow DPC Life for more real stories and behind-the-scenes conversations about Direct Primary Care.

Building your own DPC practice? We've got you covered with tools built by a DPC doc (me!), for DPC docs:

• ⁠⁠⁠Harmony Ops Health ⁠⁠⁠helps you streamline operations and automate the tasks that eat up your time.

• ⁠⁠⁠DPC Ads in Minutes ⁠⁠⁠shows you how to get simple, effective ads running without the overwhelm.

𝗡𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻? 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽.Get the 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝟱-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗣𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 - your roadmap to launch with clarity, systems, and confidence.👉 ⁠⁠https://harmonyopshealth.com/dpc-confidence-course⁠

In this incredibly candid and inspiring episode of the DFC Life Interview, we sat down with Dr. Melissa Boylan, the founder of Noreta Family Medicine in Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Boylan gave us the full story of her transition from a decade in a hospital system to becoming a thriving Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice owner.

Dr. Boylan shared the "disaster day" complete with a house fire and an EMR catastrophe that finally pushed her to seek change after a three-year search, leading to the launch of Noreta in July 2020. We talked about everything from the best decisions we made when opening our practices to the innovative work she is doing to organize DPC physicians in South Carolina.

We talk about…

• The pivotal "disaster day" that prompted Dr. Boylan's departure from the hospital system.

• How Dr. Boylan minimized initial debt by renting her clinic space and meticulously researching costs.

• The benefits of leveraging free consulting from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for business planning.

• Dr. Boylan's active role in forming an association for South Carolina DPC doctors to advocate collectively.

• Her research showing DPC physicians experience less burnout and greater fulfillment, despite similar working hours.

Connect with Dr. Melissa Boylan & Noreta Family Medicine 🤝

Practice Website: noretafamilymed.com

LinkedIn & Socials: Find Dr. Boylan and Noreta on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Further Reading/Resources Mentioned

• SCORE (for new business owners and mentors)

• DPC Summit

• DPC Masterminds (from DPC Alliance)

• The MSO in Pittsburgh (Dr. Gentile and Dr. Lin)

  
  

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the DFC Life Podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend! Your reviews help more doctors discover these real conversations about Direct Primary Care.

Have an idea for a future topic or guest? Email us at anne@crescendooperations.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Ready to transform your practice? Follow DPC Life for more real stories and behind-the-scenes conversations about Direct Primary Care.

Building your own DPC practice? We've got you covered with tools built by a DPC doc (me!), for DPC docs:

• ⁠⁠⁠Harmony Ops Health ⁠⁠⁠helps you streamline operations and automate the tasks that eat up your time.

• ⁠⁠⁠DPC Ads in Minutes ⁠⁠⁠shows you how to get simple, effective ads running without the overwhelm.

𝗡𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻? 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽.Get the 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝟱-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗣𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 - your roadmap to launch with clarity, systems, and confidence.👉 ⁠⁠https://harmonyopshealth.com/dpc-confidence-course⁠

What happens when a pediatrician realizes she might have ADHD and then uses that insight to help parents navigate the hardest parts of raising complex kids?

In this episode of DPC Life, Dr. Crystal Vernon shares her journey as both a physician and a mom, and how coaching became a powerful tool for creating more calm in the chaos. From recognizing her own ADHD to guiding physician-parents of children with ADHD and medically complex needs, Dr. Vernon offers practical wisdom and hope.

We talk about:

• Why small steps often create the biggest change.

• Coaching strategies parents can use to connect with their kids.

• The “CPR” framework (Connection, Problem-Solving, Response) that helps bring order to chaotic moments.

• How physicians can find support without feeling alone in their struggles.

  
  

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed as both a parent and a physician or wondered how to build a more intentional way of parenting this conversation is for you.

Connect with Dr. Vernon:

• Follow Dr. Crystal Vernon on Facebook: Dr. Anonymous Coaching - Crystal Vernon

• Visit: dranonymouscoaching.com

• Email: dranonymous.coaching@gmail.com

Resources / References

Operation Helo – A disaster relief group using helicopters to deliver supplies to flooded or remote areas. Mentioned during the Hurricane Helene relief story.

Hear more about the relief efforts and Dr. Anne’s full story in another podcast episode here: Watch on YouTube.

Surgeon Masters – A physician coaching training program founded by Dr. Jeffrey Smith, an orthopedic surgeon. Where Dr. Vernon received her coaching certification.

Follow DPC Life for more real stories and behind-the-scenes conversations about Direct Primary Care.

Building your own DPC practice? We've got you covered with tools built by a DPC doc (me!), for DPC docs:

• ⁠⁠⁠Harmony Ops Health ⁠⁠⁠helps you streamline operations and automate the tasks that eat up your time.

• ⁠⁠⁠DPC Ads in Minutes ⁠⁠⁠shows you how to get simple, effective ads running without the overwhelm.

𝗡𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻? 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽.Get the 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝟱-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗣𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 - your roadmap to launch with clarity, systems, and confidence.👉 ⁠⁠https://harmonyopshealth.com/dpc-confidence-course⁠

How do you know when it’s time to leave the system and what does it look like to create something better?

In this conversation, Dr. Michelle Cooke shares her journey from burnout in a large healthcare system to opening Sol Direct Primary Care in Atlanta, GA. She talks about the realities of fee-for-service medicine, how the hospital closure in her community pushed her toward direct primary care, and why boundaries are essential for sustainability as a physician.

We also dive into…

• Why the fee-for-service model often leaves both doctors and patients feeling trapped.

• How Dr. Cooke leaned into courage (and community) to launch her Direct Primary Care practice.

• The power of boundaries in preventing burnout and making Direct Primary Care sustainable.

• Her heart for serving Black women’s health and wellness through Sol Direct Primary Care.

• Michelle’s advice for physicians who feel stuck in the system but dream of practicing medicine differently.

This episode is filled with honesty, inspiration, and practical insight into the realities of making DPC work for both physicians and patients.

What really stands out from this conversation is Dr. Cooke reminder that boundaries are not walls-they’re what make it possible to give your best to patients without burning out. She also shares how leaning into her passion for serving Black women gave her practice a powerful mission and identity. And through the support of the Direct Primary Care community, she found the courage to step away from a broken system and build something more sustainable for herself and her patients.

Follow and Connect with Dr. Michelle Cooke

Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube: @drmichellecooke

LinkedIn: Dr. Michelle Cooke

Website: sol-dpc.org

Spotify: Building DPC

📌 Upcoming Event

• The Metro- Atlanta DPC Mixer – Join the Movement!📍 Four Points by Sheraton Atlanta Airport West, 3520 North Desert Drive, Atlanta, GA 30344

  📅 Saturday, October 11th | 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM

  🎟️ Tickets: https://sol-dpc.ac-page.com/atldpcmixer

  
  

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• DPC Summit

• DPC Alliance Masterminds – peer-to-peer learning and support for DPC docs

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Reviews help more doctors discover these conversations.

Have an idea for a future topic or guest? Email us at anne@crescendooperations.com. We’d love to hear from you.

Building your own DPC practice? We've got you covered with tools built by a DPC doc (me!), for DPC docs:

• ⁠⁠⁠Harmony Ops Health ⁠⁠⁠helps you streamline operations and automate the tasks that eat up your time.

• ⁠⁠⁠DPC Ads in Minutes ⁠⁠⁠shows you how to get simple, effective ads running without the overwhelm.

𝗡𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻? 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽.Get the 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝟱-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗣𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 - your roadmap to launch with clarity, systems, and confidence.👉 ⁠⁠https://harmonyopshealth.com/dpc-confidence-course⁠