Shows
My DPC StoryIs Zion HealthShare Legit? Pre-Existing Conditions, Maternity, GLP-1s and Direct Primary Care ExplainedEpisode Summary:After our episode about Zion HealthShare sparked more listener questions than almost any other episode this season, we brought together Preston Guthrie, Head of Sales at Zion HealthShare, and Camila Guerrero, Practice Manager at Brock Family Care in North Carolina and a Zion member herself, to answer everything.We discuss pre-existing conditions and the 24-month pre-membership rule, maternity care and the six-month waiting period, GLP-1 medications, how Zion pairs with a Direct Primary Care membership, the IUA and three-claim family protection rule, international emergency care benefits, state insurance mandates, and whether...
2026-02-2645 min
My DPC StoryPracticing Pediatrics at the Intersection of Policy & Purpose: Dr. Jalan Burton on DPC, Home-Based Care, and Intentional MedicineIn this previously aired episode of My DPC Story, host Maryal Concepcion sits down with Dr. Jalan Burton, a Washington, DC/DMV–based pediatrician practicing at the intersection of healthcare policy and deeply relational care. As the founder of Healthy Home Pediatrics, Dr. Burton shares how Direct Primary Care allows her to deliver unrushed, home-based pediatric care in a policy-dense environment while protecting both physician autonomy and patient trust. Her story highlights values-driven medicine, proactive cardiovascular and metabolic health conversations for children, and the power of designing a practice that supports families and physician wellbeing. We chose Dr...
2026-02-151h 08My DPC StoryBeyond Residency: Family Doctors Share Career Advice and Personal JourneysThis is a great episode to listen to and send to a Med Student or Resident you may know! In this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, host Dr. Debbie Lupeika, Director of the UC Davis Network of Affiliated Family Medicine Residency Programs, moderates a graduate panel featuring leading family physicians sharing their diverse career journeys post-residency within the UC Davis Network of Family Medicine residencies. From rural practice, corrections medicine, FQHCs, and Direct Primary Care, guests Dr. Maryal Concepcion (who got to vacate the Host seat this time!), Dr. Amanda Mooneyham, Dr. Landin...
2026-01-0258 minMy DPC StoryResources, Resilience, and the Road Ahead for Direct Primary CareIn today's episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion and guest Dr. Amber Beckenhauer reflect on the transformative landscape of Direct Primary Care (DPC) as 2025 ends and 2026 approaches. They discuss critical updates like HR1 and HSA regulations, sharing insights on how legislative changes, practice resources, and evolving patient needs are shaping the future of DPC clinics. Both physicians explore topics like staff restructuring, inflation impacts, and the importance of autonomy and creativity for entrepreneurial doctors. Dr. Amber Beckenhauer highlights her work in physician education, while Dr. Concepcion previews new resources and conferences available for DPC...
2025-12-2146 min
My DPC StoryCarrying Hope Into the New Year: A Physician’s Christmas StoryA Letter From Me to YouAs we close out 2025, I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to you - doctor to doctor, human to human.This episode is a little different. It’s a twist on ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, written as a reflection of our shared journey as physicians. It honors not only the work we do in exam rooms and inboxes, but also the quiet, unseen work that happens in kitchens, cars, call rooms, and living rooms - the places where our families, our partners, and our love...
2025-12-1904 minMy DPC StoryDirect Care Movement: An Interview of Dr. Maryal Concepcion by Dr. Demetrio AguilaToday Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a Direct Care surgeon and Host of the Direct Care Movement Podcast interviews the Host of My DPC Story, Dr. Maryal Concepcion. For those listeners new to the podcast, or for those who are always happy to hear a DPC doctor talk about before and after opening a DPC, today you get to hear some of our Host's back story. Dr. Concepcion, a family physician and DPC pioneer in rural California, shares her journey of leaving fee-for-service medicine to open her own DPC practice. The conversation highlights the freedom, flexibility, and genuine patient r...
2025-12-1445 minMy DPC StoryThriving on Her Own Terms: How Dr. "Sassy" Weinstein Built a Direct Specialty Care Practice Blending Sports, Lifestyle, and AutonomyIn this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion interviews Dr. Sarah "Sassy" Weinstein, a triple board-certified physician in family, sports, and lifestyle medicine. Hear how Dr. Sarah Sassy Weinstein turned personal health experiences - including Lyme disease and sports injuries - into a compassionate approach for patient care. Discover why she left insurance-driven medicine for a direct specialty care model in Princeton, NJ, empowering her to focus on holistic, patient-centered treatment without time constraints. Learn her insights on starting a direct care clinic, tips for keeping overhead low, and building a thriving practice. She...
2025-11-161h 02My DPC StoryStrengthening Access: Lessons from Dr. Stephanie Lucero’s DPC Journey in Rural New MexicoIn today's episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion welcomes Dr. Stephanie Lucero, the pioneering founder of Northern New Mexico’s first Direct Primary Care (DPC) clinic, Hometown Doc, LLC. Dr. Lucero shares her journey from growing up in the Pojoaque (Puh-Wah-Kee) Valley to becoming a board-certified family physician deeply committed to her local community. The conversation dives into DPC’s benefits over traditional fee-for-service healthcare within New Mexico, addressing common myths about DPC being “concierge medicine” and highlighting its affordability and accessibility—even for Medicaid patients. Dr. Lucero discusses challenges like physician shortages, healthcare access iss...
2025-11-091h 06My DPC StoryBuilding Community and Hope: Dr. Isabel Amigues’ Path to Direct Specialty RheumatologyIn today's episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion interviews Dr. Isabel Amigues, the first Direct Specialty Care rheumatologist in Colorado and founder of Unabridged MD in Denver. Dr. Amigues shares her inspiring journey through training in both France and the US, and how surviving stage 4 metastatic breast cancer transformed her medical approach. Blending Western medicine with holistic healing techniques like meditation, visualization, and energy work, she delivers personalized rheumatology care outside the constraints of insurance models. The episode dives deep into her rapid practice growth, patient-centered philosophy, and the advantages of direct specialty care...
2025-10-2659 min
DPC Life: Conversations Beyond the PracticeFrom Anger to Advocacy: The Birth of My DPC Story with Dr. Maryal ConcepcionIn 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...
2025-10-2139 minMy DPC StoryNavigating Medicare and Open Enrollment: Actionable Advice for Direct Primary Care PracticesThis weekend Maryal spoke at the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellows event in Washington, D.C. about the growing impact of the Direct Primary Care clinic model in combating physician burnout and promoting sustainable, relationship-based healthcare, so the next main episode will drop next Sunday. This episode continues to spotlight the latest issue of “The Toolkit,” a free DPC magazine curated by My DPC Story, designed to support clinics through open enrollment season. The Toolkit offers practical tools, customizable patient resources, and actionable checklists to help physicians and clinics navigate insurance changes and confidently discu...
2025-10-1908 minMy DPC StoryIntroducing the Open Enrollment Season Survival Kit for DPC DoctorsIn this episode, I am introducing the Open Enrollment Season Survival Kit. Drawing from over four years of experience at Big Trees MD (and interviewing fellow DPC Physicians), the survival kit aims to assist doctors and their Medicare-age patients during open enrollment. The kit includes customizable communication templates, tracking tools, and social media content, all designed to bolster patient relationships. Additionally, Patreon supporters receive a 50% discount on the toolkit - go to your Patreon feed for the discount code! Hope you and your patients find it helpful! DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY HERE! ~Maryal...
2025-10-1304 minMy DPC StoryFrom Hospital Rounds to DPC: Dr. Kathryn Dreger’s Story of EmpowermentIn this inspiring episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion talks with Dr. Kathryn Dreger, a board-certified Internal Medicine physician and founder of Prime-PLC, a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice in Arlington, Virginia. Dr. Dreger shares her journey from fee-for-service medicine to launching her thriving DPC clinic, highlighting how DPC restores time, trust, and personalized relationships in primary care. She discusses the challenges of traditional insurance-driven healthcare, her personal experiences with bureaucracy and performance metrics, and why DPC is revolutionizing patient-centered care. Dr. Dreger explains her approach to panel size, pricing strategies, and the value...
2025-10-051h 04My DPC StoryDebunking DPC Myths and Fostering Community in Independent Practice with Dr. Teresa LovinsToday host Dr. Maryal Concepcion, MD FAAFP interviews Dr. Teresa Lovins, MD FAAFP and a nationally recognized family physician and owner of Lovin My Health Direct Primary Care (DPC) in Columbus, Indiana. Dr. Lovins shares her journey from traditional fee-for-service medicine to the DPC model, highlighting how DPC restores physician joy, prevents burnout, and strengthens doctor-patient relationships. She dispels common DPC myths, discusses the model’s affordability and accessibility, and explains how DPC empowers doctors to provide comprehensive, personalized care—including to patients without insurance. Dr. Lovins also offers insights on running a micro DPC practice, fostering community among inde...
2025-09-2147 minMy DPC StoryCelebrating Five Years of DPC: Growth, Challenges, and Community ImpactIn this special "My DPC Story" reunion episode, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion celebrates FIVE!!! years of transformative Direct Primary Care (DPC) journeys with guests Dr. Christina Mutch, Dr. Jake Mutch, Dr. Lauren Hughes, and Dr. Deepti Mundkur. The episode highlights major practice milestones, such as expanding clinical teams, launching innovative community outreach programs like Walk with the Doc and Sweat with the Doc, and integrating technology advancements including AI-powered EHRs and Open Evidence for patient care and education. The physicians dive deep into how DPC’s small-batch, personalized care model enables stronger patient relationships, efficient specialist coordination, and improved he...
2025-09-141h 11My DPC StoryCollaboration for Change: Entrepreneurial Paths in DPC, Locums, and Direct ContractingIn this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, Dr. Maryal Concepcion hosts Dr. Holly Shen and Dr. Aaron Morganstein to discuss physician entrepreneurship and the power of collaboration in Direct Primary Care (DPC), locum tenens, and direct contracting. The trio introduces the upcoming Rise Up Physician Summit—a virtual event designed to empower physicians with tools and education to take control of their medical careers, improve financial independence, and explore non-traditional clinical paths. Listeners will hear real stories about leaving traditional employment, gaining professional and personal autonomy, building supportive physician communities, and balancing clinical work with pa...
2025-08-3142 minMy DPC StoryBalancing Locums, Direct Specialty Care, and Family: Dr. Pouneh Alizadeh’s DPC EvolutionIn this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, Dr. Maryal Concepcion interviews Dr. Pouneh Alizadeh, founder of Flourish Gynecology, who shares her inspiring journey transitioning from a hospital-employed OB/GYN to combining locums work with launching her own direct specialty care (DSC) practice. Dr. Alizadeh opens up about the challenges of balancing motherhood, physician burnout, and the drive to practice medicine on her own terms through the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model. The conversation covers the practicalities of starting a DPC/DSC practice, managing finances, setting boundaries, and integrating locums work for stability and flexibility. Dr. Alizadeh offers...
2025-08-2450 minMy DPC StoryDPC Summit 2025: Dr. Jlyn Pritchard’s Approach to Sustainable, Values-Driven PracticeIn this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, Dr. Jlyn Pritchard of Thread Health in Spokane, WA, shares her journey nearing three years in Direct Primary Care (DPC). Host Maryal Concepcion and Dr. Pritchard discuss the unique challenges and rewards of running a DPC practice, including the importance of strong values, boundary-setting with patients, and business decision-making rooted in financial transparency. Dr. Pritchard highlights her approach to integrating obesity medicine into her practice through specialized memberships and online educational resources. She also shares advice for new DPC physicians about managing finances, building community, and developing a niche for...
2025-08-1743 minMy DPC StoryBattle of the EHRs at the 2025 DPC Summit: Tech Choices for Direct Primary CareIn this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, Dr. Ricky Haug joins Maryal as they dive into the latest trends in Direct Primary Care (DPC) technology, fresh from the 2025 DPC Summit. The focus is on the "Battle of the EHRs," where Dr. Haug, an experienced DPC physician with a multi-location, multi-provider practice, shares his firsthand insights on choosing and optimizing Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for DPC clinics. The discussion covers key findings from the DPC Summit's EHR survey, highlighting what features doctors value most, such as ease of use, patient communication, AI integration, and workflow efficiency. The...
2025-08-0332 minMy DPC StoryEmpowering Physicians Through Direct Primary Care: A Conversation with Dr. Natalie Gentile at the DPC SummitIn this special episode of the My DPC Story podcast, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion sits down with Dr. Natalie Gentile live from the DPC Summit in New Orleans. They delve into the principles and advantages of Direct Primary Care (DPC) and discuss Dr. Gentile's journey in lifestyle medicine and her innovative approach in helping new physicians transition into DPC. The conversation underscores the importance of mission-driven work, community collaboration, and the entrepreneurial opportunities available to physicians in the DPC model. The episode also highlights various resources and support available for DPC practitioners and patients alike.Direct...
2025-07-2720 minMy DPC StoryTHE 2025 SUMMER DPC MAGAZINE HAS ARRIVED!In this special bonus episode of My DPC Story, Maryal gives a sneak peek into the newest issue of DPC Magazine: The Toolkit from My DPC Story— a jam-packed edition covering everything from the real-life EHR choices of over 200 DPC physicians, to creative strategies for financing your practice, to using your tech tools to support more equitable care. Curious which EHR came out on top in our reader survey? We’re not spoiling it here — but you can read all about it at mydpcstory.com/magazine. And if you're attending in person, look for the bright...
2025-07-2501 min
My DPC StoryEverything You Need to Know About Hiring a VA, And How You Can Find Great Help For a Fraction of the CostIn this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion welcomes back Justin Lam, founder and CEO of Cool Blue VA, to discuss the benefits of hiring medical virtual assistants for Direct Primary Care (DPC) practices. They dive into key questions DPC physicians face: when is the right time to hire a VA, and how do you efficiently hire and onboard one? Justin shares actionable exercises, such as time and task audits and skills gap analysis, to help doctors identify tasks they can delegate and areas requiring support. The episode highlights the cost-effectiveness of virtual assistants...
2025-07-2241 minMy DPC StorySports Psychiatry in Direct Care: Confidentiality, Access, and Athlete Wellness with Dr. Jimmy MoleyIn this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, Dr. Maryal Concepcion interviews Dr. Jimmy Moley, an adult and sports psychiatrist based in Independence, Ohio, who practices through a direct specialty care model. Dr. Moley shares why he opened his private practice right out of residency, highlighting the benefits of direct care—like enhanced accessibility, confidentiality for athletes, and truly patient-centered mental health treatment. He discusses how his flexible, cash-pay psychiatry model allows him to see new patients within a week, provide both medication management and CBT, and address holistic aspects of mental wellness, especially for athletes dealing with pe...
2025-07-1342 minMy DPC StoryBridging Medicine and Veterinary Care: Insights from Dr. Eve Harrison, DVMIn this episode of the My DPC Story podcast, host Maryal Conception interviews Dr. Eve Harrison, a concierge, cash-based, house call Veterinarian based in Los Angeles. Dr. Harrison shares her journey from traditional veterinary training, including her struggles with the corporatized veterinary system (you'll be amazed at the similarities in the human world), to establishing her own integrative and concierge veterinary practice. Throughout the discussion, they draw parallels between human medicine and veterinary care, highlighting the challenges posed by corporate influences in both fields. Listeners gain insights into the importance of establishing long-term relationships with patients, managing holistic care...
2025-07-0650 minMy DPC StoryOpening North Dakota’s First Direct Primary Care Practice: Lessons from a DPC Trailblazer with Dr. Kristine MartensIn this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion interviews Dr. Kristine Martens, co-founder of Resurgent Health, the VERY FIRST Direct Primary Care (DPC) clinic in North Dakota. Dr. Martens shares her inspiring journey from traditional insurance-based practice to launching a trailblazing DPC clinic in Fargo with her business partner, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of being a DPC pioneer in her state. The conversation covers starting a business from scratch, navigating collaborative practice with Alyson Dahl, PA, building a patient-centered practice, staffing choices, and integrating unique services like OMT and aesthetics. Dr. Martens also...
2025-06-291h 18My DPC StoryBack to Foundations: Lessons from Dr. Edward Williams’ Direct Primary Care Journey in Rural AlabamaIn this episode of the My DPC Story Podcast, Dr. Maryal Concepcion interviews Dr. Edward Williams of Foundation Direct Primary Care in Baldwin County, Alabama. Dr. Williams shares his journey from traditional fee-for-service medicine to launching his own DPC clinic, highlighting the frustrations and lack of autonomy that pushed him to embrace the Direct Primary Care model. He discusses his experience practicing rural medicine, the flexibility and improved work-life balance DPC provides, and the success of innovative services like home visits, men’s health, and 24-hour patient response. Dr. Williams also details building a patient panel from scratch in a...
2025-05-251h 12
My DPC StoryBuilding an Enduring DPC Practice: Lessons from Dr. Brad Brown, Brad Butler and the Hint Health CommunityIn today's partner episode of the 'My DPC Story' podcast, host Maryal Concepcion discusses the rise and successes of the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model with guests Dr. Brad Brown (fellow DPC Doctor and My DPC Story Alum) and Brad Butler, Head of Sales at Hint Health. They delve into the significance of the DPC community, tech innovations from Hint Health, and the continuous growth of the DPC movement. Dr. Brad shares his experiences from starting Strive Direct Care during residency to contributing to the Hint ecosystem. Brad Butler discusses Hint Health's role in supporting DPCs through resources like...
2025-05-0930 minMy DPC StoryDirect Patient Relationships: Insurance-Free Pharmacy with Kyle McCormick, Pharm D of Blueberry PharmacyIn this episode of My DPC Story, host Maryal Concepcion, MD sits down with Kyle McCormick, owner of Blueberry Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to explore his unique cost-plus pharmacy model. The conversation sheds light on McCormick's decision to operate without insurance, allowing him to provide better pricing and service to patients. With a focus on direct care, the discussion touches on the collaboration between McCormick and Direct Care Physicians of Pittsburgh, highlighting their shared commitment to making healthcare more accessible. McCormick shares his experiences in opening Blueberry Pharmacy amidst the challenges of the pandemic and offers insights on how...
2025-04-0640 minMy DPC StoryMaking Healthcare Human: Dr. Kainth's Commitment to Patient-Centered Direct Primary CareIn this episode of the "My DPC Story" podcast, host Dr. Maryal Concepcion chats with Dr. Manvinder Kainth about her journey in Direct Primary Care (DPC). Dr. Kainth, a board-certified family medicine physician, discusses how her experiences with healthcare systems in Canada and the U.S. shaped her practice philosophy. She shares insights from her residency, which taught her the intricacies of the insurance-driven system, and how it propelled her towards DPC as a more personal and efficient model. Dr. Kainth emphasizes the flexibility and simplicity of DPC, highlighting her commitment to offering personalized and affordable care at her...
2025-03-1646 min