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We just watched a room full of nurse practitioners and physician assistants realize they don’t have to practice medicine the way they’ve been told and that shift is the heart of what we’re talking about today. Coming off our second annual DPC Launchpad conference, we’re processing what we learned, what surprised us, and what we think is changing inside the direct primary care movement for advanced practice providers.

We break down the real-world wins and limitations of hosting a DPC conference on a cruise ship, then get into the most useful “steal this” ideas we’re bringing back to our own membership-based primary care clinics. That includes simple visibility changes like posting a menu of services, a memorable clinical tool that lit up the room (the sphenocath for migraines), and the operational relief that can come from delegating smarter, like hiring a virtual assistant for marketing and organization.

We also talk about why the content matured this year: bringing in experts who live in the business trenches, not just clinicians. Website design, bookkeeping, malpractice and business insurance, AI, and marketing show up as make-or-break skills for DPC sustainability. Then we look ahead to Austin, Texas and what we want to build next: hands-on skills workshops, cybersecurity, tax strategy, retirement planning, exit planning, HR and hiring, plus a bigger push into B2B direct primary care for employers.

If you’re curious about starting a direct primary care practice, already running one, or trying to grow beyond word-of-mouth, you’ll leave with concrete next steps and a clearer picture of what “better” can look like. Subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review, then tell us what topic you want us to tackle next.

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Monica McKittrick returns to the podcast with a wealth of insights from her remarkable transformation from hands-on nurse practitioner to CEO of a thriving Direct Primary Care practice with seven providers across three locations. Her journey offers a roadmap for anyone considering the entrepreneurial path in healthcare.

When Monica transitioned away from patient care, she worried her 350 patients might leave. Remarkably, she lost only two. This testament to relationship-building reveals how thoughtful transitions can maintain patient trust while allowing provider growth. Now enjoying true freedom—including a recent two-and-a-half week vacation where "no one cared" she was gone—Monica demonstrates that building a self-sufficient practice is achievable but requires intentional systems and leadership.

The challenges of marketing DPC practices cannot be overstated. As Monica explains, "Nurse practitioners are not natural marketers" and the unique nature of healthcare means patients need to both know you exist AND need your services at precisely the right moment. Her experiences expanding to multiple locations reveal critical insights about community integration, geographic challenges, and why having a marketing strategy is essential. The realization that "success to me is not 10 clinics" but rather freedom to enjoy life while making an impact led Monica to create resources for other providers.

Her upcoming book "DPC: Dream Job or Total Disaster" (available August 4th) offers a crucial roadmap for determining whether DPC ownership aligns with your personality and goals. Rather than a technical how-to guide, it helps providers make the fundamental decision about whether to pursue DPC at all. Coupled with her "DPC Launch Kit" course, these resources reflect Monica's mission to help the right providers succeed in this model, ultimately expanding access to patient-centered care.

Connect with Monica at the DPC Launchpad conference in February and explore her resources at DPCformula.com to discover if direct primary care entrepreneurship is your calling or a path better left unexplored.

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The world of Direct Primary Care offers a revolutionary escape from the constraints of traditional insurance-based medical practice—but how do you actually grow a DPC practice once you've opened your doors? In this illuminating conversation, Amanda Price speaks with Erin Kosich, owner of Compass Health DPC in Durham, North Carolina, who reveals the marketing strategy that grew her practice by an impressive 20% in just one month.

After eight years working in an employer-based clinic that functioned much like a DPC, Erin took the leap to open her own practice in May 2022. What makes her story particularly valuable is her systematic approach to growth through targeted Facebook advertising. Working with Clinical Marketer, she developed campaigns specifically focused on women experiencing menopause—a strategy that proved remarkably effective. "It's been wildly successful," Erin explains, detailing how these specialized ads attract women seeking relief for menopausal symptoms who then discover the broader benefits of membership-based primary care.

The conversation dives deep into the mechanics of successful patient conversion through carefully structured meet-and-greets. Rather than delivering a rehearsed sales pitch, Erin begins by asking potential patients about their frustrations with traditional healthcare—then explains how DPC addresses those specific pain points. This personalized approach has proven highly effective at turning interested individuals into committed members who appreciate the direct access, extended appointment times, and genuinely caring relationship that DPC offers.

Beyond marketing tactics, Erin and Amanda explore the emotional reality of DPC ownership—the pressure to be constantly available, the guilt when not responding immediately to patient messages, and the particular personality type that thrives in this model. "The people-pleaser aspect is what makes a good DPC provider," Erin reflects, acknowledging both the challenges and rewards of creating a practice built on genuine patient relationships.

Whether you're a nurse practitioner considering opening your own DPC, looking to grow an existing practice, or simply curious about alternatives to insurance-based healthcare, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who's successfully navigating the journey. Connect with other DPC practitioners at the upcoming DPC Launchpad cruise conference and discover how you too can build a thriving practice that transforms both your professional satisfaction and your patients' healthcare experience.

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If you have questions, comments or want to be part of our community, follow us on Facebook at The DPC NP!