In this episode of DPC Pediatrician, hosts Dr. Phil Boucher and Dr. Marina Capella welcome Dr. Dhanu Sant and Dr. Valerie Miles from ThriveWell Pediatrics in Jacksonville, Florida. The discussion centers on their journey into direct primary care (DPC), their partnership model, and how integrative medicine shaped their practice.

Key Highlights:

1. Backgrounds of the Guests:

* Dr. Sant's Journey:

* Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Dr. Sant trained at Ohio State University and Columbus Children’s Hospital.

* She began her career in a large pediatric practice but grew frustrated with the limitations of fee-for-service care, particularly the lack of time to address foundational health issues like nutrition and sleep.

* Inspired by her Indian heritage and yoga practice, she transitioned to integrative medicine and started her own pediatric practice in Columbus.

* In 2019, she decided to move to Florida for family reasons and began exploring a partnership with Dr. Miles.

* Dr. Miles' Journey

* Trained in Salt Lake City, Dr. Miles felt drawn to pediatrics early in her career.

* She practiced in Durango, Colorado, where she encountered holistic approaches like garlic oil for ear infections, which sparked her interest in integrative medicine.

* After moving to Jacksonville in 1999, she started her own insurance-based integrative practice in 2000 and became board-certified in integrative medicine.

2. Formation of ThriveWell Pediatrics:

* Drs. Sant and Miles met through integrative medicine conferences and maintained a supportive professional relationship over the years.

* In 2019, they decided to combine their expertise and open ThriveWell Pediatrics as a direct primary care (DPC) practice in Jacksonville.

* They attended the Nuts & Bolts DPC conference, which provided the foundational knowledge needed to launch their practice in 2020.

3. Benefits of Their Partnership Model:

* The doctors emphasized the importance of finding the right partner, likening it to a marriage.

* They balance responsibilities based on their strengths, such as accounting and patient communication, making the workload more manageable.

* Both agreed that having a partner enhances the experience of running a practice compared to doing it solo.

4. Integrative Medicine in Pediatrics:

* Both doctors highlighted how integrative approaches—such as addressing nutrition, sleep, and natural remedies—can be transformative for pediatric care.

* Their shared vision for holistic care was instrumental in shaping ThriveWell Pediatrics into a unique DPC model.