I started Whole Family Health at Belmar in collaboration a hospital corporation and my best friend and practice partner Lisa Nguyen M.D.
We had been chief residents together, an elected role with increased responsibility and administrative team work. If we could keep 18 residents in line, we had what it took to start a clinic, right?
I remember clearly when we set out on the creative side. We named the clinic and wrote the content of the website. We set out to include nuances specific to our interests. We wanted health action plans, goal setting, nutrition workshops, group visits, and expanded hours.
In the early days we hired Chris, our manager; Rhonda, our favorite MA from our prior office; and Brenda, an experienced MA from another clinic. We ordered supplies, chose colors, hung up pictures and got ready.
In our first suite we had three rooms, paper charts and brand new white coats. We had few people on the schedule October 1, 2012, but we were ready for the new adventure. Our clinic grew exponentially. In the nearly four years of its existence we moved to a larger suite twice, hired a new doctor and got up to eight staff and over 4800 patients.
The recent decision to close the clinic was administrative, beyond our control and in no way a reflection of the clinic we established, maintained and loved.
In the face of change, how do you respond? Do you bury your head, keep plugging away? Or do you take it on, ready to fight it?
Can you meet change with grace? It the face of change, acceptance starts with a focus not on what you are leaving, but what you are moving towards.
It is summer and I am at it again: planning, building and creating anew.
Direct Osteopathic Primary Care will soon have a finished space, colors chosen, supplies stocked and readiness that comes with anything new. Its roots will touch the lessons of working in a corporately owned clinic but the tree that blossoms will be fresh, vibrant and transformed.
After a dreamer became a medical student and then a physician, a new path is waiting to be paved. Where health is present, healing is invited and your family is welcome at the door.
Schedule a Free Introductory Visit at Direct Osteopathic Primary Care today.
