While in medical school, I still clung to an idealized version of a physicians. There were often exceptional physicians celebrated for their diagnostic abilities, as change agents or compassionate caregivers. Because of this, I traveled to various states to do “guest rotations” at various institutions and train under these prestigious physicians. After completing my studies at Michigan State University, I was accepted into a very prestigious residency at the Cleveland Clinic foundation. I was lucky to be trained by physician mentors, who trained prior to the hustle of 20-30 patients per day. In additional to having a wide breadth of skills and experience, they also possessed a longitudinal view of medicine that only 30 years of experience could confer. Their tutelage helped me hone my listening, diagnostic acumen and clinical skills. More importantly, they imbued me with a “patient first” style of practice.

There are legions of physicians, who are experiencing “burn out” because they are not treating patients in a manner consistent with their values or training. The physician is charged with serving the patient, based on the interests of their employing institution and within the confines of insurance restrictions. I founded the direct medical xperience, because I wanted my only responsibility to be to the patient. My goal is to enroll a small cohort of 600 patients and foster health over the remaining 30 years of my career.