Daily agenda and session summaries
Session details
Procedural skills workshop details are available online.
DPC Summit Expo Hall launch
5:30–7 p.m.
Breakfast and coffee located in the exhibit hall
7 a.m.
Why DPC Chose Me
8:15–9:25 a.m.
(General Session) | Celestin DE
This opening mainstage session weaves together personal experience and professional insight to explore how patient-centered, relationship-based care aligns with the core values of family medicine. Drawing on experiences across multiple practice settings, the speaker reflects on the rewards and challenges of practicing medicine while maintaining personal well-being. Attendees will learn how setting healthy boundaries and clear expectations with patients can support sustainable practice, reduce burnout, and promote a more balanced professional and personal life.
Presenter: Wendy Molaska, MD, FAAFP
Presentation: coming soon
DPC Start Up Basics
9:35–10:30 a.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
This session offers a practical introduction to launching a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice. Attendees will learn key startup considerations, including EMR selection for membership-based care, Medicare opt-out requirements, cost management through group purchasing organizations, and basic marketing strategies. The lecture also includes guidance on developing a clear DPC elevator pitch.
Presenter: Amy Capoocia, DO, FACOFP
Presentation: coming soon
The Hidden Cost of Churn: Keeping the Patients You Love and Letting Go When It’s Not a Good Fit
9:35–10:30 a.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
Patient churn can affect both the sustainability of a DPC practice and physician well-being. This session examines common reasons patients leave, strategies to reduce avoidable churn, and how to distinguish between patients who align with the DPC model and those who do not. Attendees will also explore practical approaches to communication, expectation-setting, and maintaining perspective when patient turnover occurs.
Presenter: Emily O’Rourke, MD, and Douglas Farrago, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in DPC
9:35–10:30 a.m.
(301 Track) | Celestin FGH
This addiction medicine overview will emphasize how addiction medicine is best addressed through the lens of chronic disease, prevention and harm reduction. Clinical pearls and recommendations will be shared with many examples from the correctional medicine space. Buprenorphine and methadone will be discussed in detail. Regulations will be reviewed as well so that practices feel comfortable moving forward offering this treatment for their patients.
Presenter: Philip Eskew, DO, JD, MBA
Presentation: coming soon
Break in the exhibit hall
10:30–11 a.m.
Employed vs Owning in DPC
11–11:55 a.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
As DPC continues to grow, physicians have multiple pathways into the model. This session explores the differences between working as an employed physician in a DPC practice and owning a DPC clinic. Attendees will gain insight into the risks, benefits, and trade-offs of each option to help determine which approach best aligns with their professional goals.
Presenter: Michael Sparks, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Reclaiming the Network: Empowering DPC Practices to Form Physician-Owned Employer Alliances
11–11:55 a.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
As employer demand for multi-location DPC access grows, this session explores physician-owned network models as an alternative to third-party intermediaries. Attendees will learn about organizational, legal, and strategic considerations for forming state or regional DPC alliances that preserve physician autonomy while enabling direct employer contracting and collaboration among independent practices.
Presenter: Shaunna Sanders, JD, MBA
Presentation: coming soon
Dermatology in DPC: Confidently Managing Common Skin Conditions
11–11:55 a.m.
(301 Track) | Celestin FGH
Skin concerns are frequent in primary care, yet many DPC clinicians have limited dermatology support. This session provides practical tools for diagnosing and managing common dermatologic conditions using evidence-based, cost-conscious strategies. Attendees will also learn when referral or specialty collaboration is appropriate within the DPC model.
Presenter: Lauren Payne, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Lunch and regional networking
12–1:30 p.m.
Building the Tech Backbone of a Modern DPC Practice: Tools, Integration, and Workflow Design
1:30–2:25 p.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
Technology choices can significantly impact the success of a DPC practice. This session provides a practical framework for selecting and integrating EHRs, communication tools, automation, and cybersecurity systems that support the DPC model. Attendees will learn how to evaluate vendors, avoid common pitfalls, and build a scalable, efficient tech ecosystem that strengthens autonomy and patient connection.
Presenter: Matthew Hitchcock, MD, MBA
Presentation: coming soon
Hire for Heart, Train for Skill: Crafting a Patient-Centered DPC Team
1:30–2:25 p.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
Building the right team is essential to a successful DPC practice. This session provides practical guidance on recruiting staff and clinicians who align with a clinic’s mission, implementing effective onboarding and training processes, and fostering a positive, patient-centered culture. Attendees will gain tools to support retention, collaboration, and consistent care delivery.
Presenter: Wendy Molaska, MD, FAAFP
Presentation: coming soon
Identifying and treating adult ADHD in DPC
1:30–2:25 p.m.
(301 Track) | Celestin FGH
Adult ADHD is often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or masked by anxiety, depression, or burnout. In the DPC model, we have the unique advantage of time and continuity to uncover what traditional systems often miss. This session will help primary care clinicians confidently diagnose and manage ADHD in adults using evidence-based tools and practical treatment strategies. Attendees will walk away with clear frameworks for evaluation, medication management, and ongoing support within the direct primary care setting.
Presenter: Alexandra Santiago, DO
Presentation: coming soon
Building Your DPC with Social Media and AI
2:35–3:30 p.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
In today’s digital environment, authentic storytelling and smart automation are essential for DPC growth. This session explores how physicians can use social media to attract and retain patients while leveraging AI tools to streamline operations and enhance patient communication. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to grow their practice digitally without losing the human connection.
Presenter: Jade Norris, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Find & Help Your People, Niche Edition
2:35–3:30 p.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
Rather than serving everyone, many successful DPC practices focus on a well-defined patient niche. This session guides physicians through identifying a niche aligned with their expertise and values, developing a clear brand message, and creating outreach strategies that attract and retain the right patients. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for focused practice growth.
Presenter: Phil Boucher, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Sizing up Weight Bias: An Introduction to Weight-Inclusive Care
2:35–3:30 p.m.
(301 Track) | Celestin FGH
This session defines weight bias and examines how it can affect clinical care and patient outcomes. Attendees will explore the consequences of weight-focused approaches and learn principles of weight-inclusive care that emphasize respect, autonomy, and health-promoting behaviors. Practical steps to foster a more size-inclusive practice environment will be discussed.
Presenter: Aimee Wattiaux, MD, and Anna Mirer, MD, MPH
Presentation: coming soon
Break in the exhibit hall
3:30–4 p.m.
Setting Healthy Boundaries in DPC
4–4:55 p.m.
(General Session) | Celestin DE
While Direct Primary Care offers meaningful improvements in physician autonomy and patient relationships, it also requires intentional boundary setting to maintain balance and sustainability. This session focuses on identifying common pitfalls in early DPC practice that can lead to physician burnout and patient dissatisfaction. Attendees will learn practical strategies for setting healthy expectations with patients, establishing clear boundaries, and fostering a practice environment that supports both high-quality care and physician well-being.
Presenter: Nathaneal Douglas, MD
Presentation: coming soon
DPC Summit happy hour with exhibitors
5–6:30 p.m.
Breakfast and coffee located in the exhibit hall
7:30 a.m.
Physician Autonomy: Practicing to the Top of Your Training
8:15–9:25 a.m.
(General Session) | Celestin DE
In today’s healthcare landscape, physicians are increasingly constrained by administrative burdens, productivity quotas, and third-party payer requirements. This session examines how the Direct Primary Care model restores physician autonomy by minimizing external constraints and administrative complexity. Attendees will explore how DPC enables physicians to practice to the full extent of their training, focus on comprehensive patient care, and reconnect with the clinical work that drew them to family medicine.
Presenter: Amy Capoocia, DO, FACOFP
Presentation: coming soon
DPC Legal 101: Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, IHS, PPOs, and HMOs – Addressing Each DPC “Opt Out” Type Decision
9:35–10:30 a.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
This session reviews how DPC practices can navigate relationships with common third-party payors. Topics include Medicare opt-out decisions, approaches to Medicaid participation, considerations for Tricare and Indian Health Service patients, and identifying pitfalls in PPO and HMO agreements. Attendees will gain guidance on maintaining independence while addressing utilization management and administrative requirements.
Presenter: Philip Eskew, DO, JD, MBA
Presentation: coming soon
Running a Thriving DPC Business – Making “Bad Business Decisions”
9:35–10:30 a.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
This session explores how relationship-centered decisions—often viewed as financially counterintuitive—can strengthen practice culture, patient loyalty, and long-term sustainability. Through real-world examples, attendees will examine how generosity, flexibility, and intentional culture-building can reduce churn, support staff satisfaction, and contribute to a resilient DPC practice.
Presenter: Charles Opperman, MD, FACP
Presentation: coming soon
Menopause 101 for the DPC Physician: Confidently Evaluating, Supporting, and Treating Women in Transition
9:35–10:30 a.m.
(301 Track) | Celestin FGH
Menopause care is rapidly emerging as one of the most requested services among midlife women. This session provides a practical introduction to evaluating perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, counseling patients, and offering hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options. Attendees will gain an evidence-based framework for providing menopause care within the DPC model.
Presenter: Michelle Cooke, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Break in the exhibit hall
10:30–11 a.m.
Intro to In-Office Dispensing
11–11:55 a.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
In-office dispensing can be intimidating with numerous obstacles to establishing. This session reviews practical considerations for getting started, including required equipment, workflows, and regulatory cautions. Attendees will explore the pros and cons of in-office dispensing and learn when traditional pharmacy services may still be appropriate.
Presenter: Michael Sparks, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Employer Partnerships That Scale: Proven Corporate DPC Growth Strategies
11–11:55 a.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
For DPC practices seeking to expand through employer partnerships, this session outlines practical strategies for connecting with local businesses and building sustainable relationships. Topics include identifying ideal employer partners, structuring pricing and onboarding, and maintaining long-term engagement. Attendees will gain insight into relationship-driven approaches to employer growth.
Presenter: Jade Norris, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Beyond the Incision: Minimally Invasive Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) in the DPC Setting
11–11:55 a.m.
(301 Track) | Celestin FGH
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a painful, chronic, and often misunderstood inflammatory skin disease. HS presents complex clinical and psychosocial challenges. This session reviews strategies for diagnosing, staging, and managing HS within a DPC practice, including minimally invasive interventions and medical management. Attendees will explore how HS care can be integrated into longitudinal, relationship-based DPC workflows.
Presenter: Tracee Short, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Lunch and table topics
(Mentorship lunch through DPC Summit Connection)
12–1:30 p.m.
Optimizing Practice Workflows
1:30–2:25 p.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
This session provides a step-by-step approach to building efficient workflows with laboratories, imaging centers, and subspecialists. Attendees will learn how to establish referral pathways, streamline communication, and maintain accountability among partners. Participants will leave with practical frameworks to support continuity of care, timely diagnostics, and coordinated outpatient services.
Presenter: Lena Samuel, MD, DABFM
Presentation: coming soon
Smart Tax Strategies for DPC Owners: Protecting Profits and Empowering Growth
1:30–2:25 p.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
DPC practices operate under financial structures that differ from traditional healthcare models. This session reviews tax planning strategies tailored to DPC business owners, including entity selection, income optimization, deductions, and compliance considerations. Attendees will learn how proactive tax planning can support cash flow, profitability, and long-term practice sustainability.
Presenter: Brad May
Presentation: coming soon
Diabetes Care in DPC: Who Needs an Endocrinologist?
1:30–2:25 p.m.
(301 Track) | Celestin FGH
Most patients with diabetes can be managed effectively in primary care. This session reviews insulin management, non-insulin therapies, and diabetes technologies such as CGMs and pumps. Attendees will learn when specialty referral is appropriate and how managing diabetes in-house can add value for patients in a DPC practice.
Presenter: Mary Tipton, MD, FACP
Presentation: coming soon
Cashflow Forecasting and Financial Management of Your DPC Practice
2:35–3:30 p.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
Sound financial management is essential to sustaining a DPC practice. This session helps physicians understand key financial statements, develop cash-flow forecasts and budgets, and identify metrics that guide decision-making. Attendees will gain practical tools to support financial stability and long-term practice success.
Presenter: Drew Kitchens, CPA
Presentation: coming soon
I’m a Doctor, Not a Salesman! Strategies on Getting People to Sign Up Without Sounding Salesy
2:35–3:30 p.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
Discussing DPC membership requires clear, confident communication. This session focuses on authentic, patient-centered approaches to explaining the value of DPC without relying on traditional sales tactics. Attendees will explore strategies for building trust, addressing common concerns, and aligning membership conversations with patient needs and priorities.
Presenter: Brad Brown, DO
Presentation: coming soon
Food Intolerance or Allergy? How to Accurately Diagnose and Manage Common Food Concerns
2:35–3:30 p.m.
(301 Track) | Celestin FGH
Accurate diagnosis of food allergies is essential to avoid patient harm. This session reviews evidence-based standards for food allergy testing, common diagnostic pitfalls, and appropriate management strategies. Attendees will gain clarity on distinguishing true allergies from intolerances and applying best practices in clinical care.
Presenter: Nathaneal Douglas, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Break in the foyer
3:30–4 p.m.
Beyond the Inbox: Building Scalable, Joyful DPC Through Intelligent Workflows
4–4:55 p.m.
(General Session) | Celestin DE
Direct Primary Care has shown that smaller patient panels and subscription-based access can fundamentally transform the patient-physician relationship. As practices mature, however, maintaining efficiency and joy in practice becomes increasingly important. This session explores how intelligent workflows and thoughtful systems design can support scalability without sacrificing the relational core of DPC. Attendees will gain insight into balancing growth, operational efficiency, and professional satisfaction as their practices evolve.
Presenter: Ronya Green, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Presentation: coming soon
DPC Alliance Social (off-site). Limited available space, all attendees welcome.
Pre-registration required.
Continental breakfast and coffee located in the foyer
8 a.m.
Town Hall 101
8:30–10 a.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
This interactive town hall session brings together experienced DPC leaders to address questions from attendees. Participants will engage in open discussion on foundational DPC topics, common challenges, and real-world experiences.
Presenter: Amy Capoocia, DO, FACOFP (moderator); Michael Sparks, MD; Jade Norris, MD; and Matthew Hitchcock, MD, MBA
Presentation: coming soon
Town Hall 201
8:30–10 a.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
This interactive town hall brings together experienced DPC leaders to address attendee questions and discuss common challenges faced by growing practices. The session emphasizes shared learning, peer discussion, and practical insights across clinical, operational, and business aspects of Direct Primary Care.
Presenter: Wendy Molaska, MD, FAAFP (moderator); Ronya Green, MD, MPH, FAAFP; Brad Brown, DO; and Emily O’Rourke, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Don’t Wait: Engage Employers from Day One
10:10–11:05 a.m.
(101 Track) | Celestin DE
Employers often approach DPC physicians earlier than expected. This session prepares new DPC practices to engage small employers by covering contract basics, common pitfalls, and onboarding considerations. Attendees will learn how to identify local employer opportunities, work with benefits advisors, and establish employer relationships early in their practice development.
Presenter: Shane Purcell, MD
Presentation: coming soon
Succession Planning for DPC Physicians
10:10–11:05 a.m.
(201 Track) | Celestin ABC
This session introduces legal, financial, and operational considerations for succession planning in DPC practices. Attendees will learn how to prepare for retirement, incapacity, or unexpected transitions while maintaining practice continuity and patient care. Topics include essential legal documents, ownership planning, and practical steps to safeguard physician legacy and operations.
Presenter: Shaunna Sanders, JD, MBA
Presentation: coming soon
Gender-Affirming Care for Primary Care Physicians
10:10–11:05 a.m.
(301 Track) | Celestin FGH
This session introduces practical approaches to providing gender-affirming care in primary care settings. While gender-affirming care is an essential component of comprehensive primary care, many clinicians find it intimidating. Through case-based discussion, attendees will learn how to initiate and monitor hormone therapy, manage common clinical considerations, and address preventive care needs for transgender patients within a Direct Primary Care (DPC) framework.
Presenter: John (Jay) Moore, MD, and Aaron Sapp, MD, MBA
Presentation: coming soon
It’s Not Just the Doc! What About the Rest of Us?
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
(General Session) | Celestin DE
Transitioning to a Direct Primary Care model affects more than the physician alone—it has meaningful implications for family members and practice staff. In this closing panel discussion, physicians share real-world experiences of transitioning to DPC and how those changes impacted spouses, children, and team members. Attendees will explore both the positive and challenging aspects of such transitions and gain perspective on how to navigate the personal and professional ripple effects of moving to a DPC practice.
Presenter: Jeffrey Davenport, MD (Moderator); Carol Dean; Megan Madrid; Brian Ostick; and Jennifer Shute
Presentation: coming soon
Safe travels home!
Presenter bios
Wendy Molaska, MD, FAAFP Owner and physician of Dedicated Family Care, a Direct Primary Care ClinicPast-President of the Wisconsin Medical Society.
Dr. Wendy Molaska is a graduate of the University of WI School of Medicine and Public Health and is a Board certified family physician and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She has practiced full spectrum Family Medicine for over 20 years. She started her career working for the National Health Services Corps in rural Colorado, until 2008 when she moved to rural Wisconsin.
She continued practicing rural full spectrum family medicine until she joined the University of WI School of Medicine and Public Health as an Assistant Professor and moved to the Madison area to continue her Family Medicine practice. In 2019 she transitioned her medical focus to provide inpatient hospice care and in 2021 she left employed medicine to start her own direct primary care (DPC) clinic called Dedicated Family Care, where she continues providing full spectrum family medicine to an underserved patient population in the Madison, WI area.
On July 26, 2025 she was awarded DPC Physician of the Year by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the Direct Primary Care (DPC) Alliance.
In addition to her clinical practice, she has served on the Board of Directors for the WI Medical Society and was elected President in 2022. In 2024 she was named to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ Taskforce on the Healthcare Workforce. Through the WI Department of Health Services she serves on the Advisory Council for the WI Council on Immunization Practices. Given her love of reading, she has also been involved, since residency, with Reach Out and Read, a nationwide early pediatric literacy program that is based in primary care clinics, and now serves as Co-Chair for the WI Reach Out and Read Advisory council. She was elected to the Board of Directors of the DPC Alliance in 2025. She enjoys travel and has also completed multiple medical missions around the world, as well as being a national champion curler.
Amy Capoocia, DO, FACOFP (Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians) graduated from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2003 and completed her residency in Family Medicine at St Joseph's Medical Center in Reading, PA. She graduated as Co-Chief Resident in 2006. Dr Capoocia has 20 years of direct patient experience, practicing inpatient and outpatient medicine in Spring Hill Florida. Dr Capoocia worked full time and volunteered with the local domestic violence shelter and the local free community clinic. Most recently she has moved back to Pennsylvania and is now the owner and lead physician at Ludwig’s Village Family Medicine, LLC—a Direct Primary Care office.
With the help of her supportive spouse, she juggles a medical career and raises her family.
Dr Capoocia is also passionate about teaching and has worked with high school, medical school and residency students, she has taught ACOFP procedural medicine courses for over 10 years.
Dr. Capoocia is an active mother of 5 children who believes in physical and mental balance. She earned a black belt in Shotokan Karate in 2021.
Dr. Emily O'Rourke started Fountain Direct Primary Care, the very first DPC practice in Hampton Roads, Virginia, in October 2018. She presented at the DPC Summit in 2024, served on the 2025 DPC Summit planning committee and served as the chair of the 2026 DPC Summit planning committee. Dr. O'Rourke is board certified in Family Medicine through both the American Board of Family Medicine and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. She was born and raised in the state of Nebraska, and she graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She completed her medical education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2010. She served as chief resident during her final year of the Eastern Virginia Medical School Portsmouth Family Medicine residency program. Dr. O'Rourke enjoys working with her patients on individualized treatment plans, including lifestyle modification, in order to transform their physical and mental health and help them achieve their goals and live more fulfilling lives. She serves as an FAA Senior Aviation Medical Examiner. She lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with her husband, Jimmy, and their two sons, Logan and Jackson. She practices yoga regularly and enjoys creative pursuits, including writing for DPC News.
Dr. Farrago is a retired family physician based in Forest, Virginia. Since 2021, he has run DPCnews.com, a leading resource for the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement.
He is the author of three best-selling books on Direct Primary Care:
- The Official Guide to Starting Your Own Direct Primary Care Practice
- The Direct Primary Care Doctor’s Daily Motivational Journal
- Slowing the Churn in Direct Primary Care (While Also Keeping Your Sanity)
In 2016, Dr. Farrago conceived the idea for the Direct Primary Care Alliance and co-founded the organization alongside other pioneering DPC physicians. He is widely recognized as a leading expert in the DPC model and frequently lectures to medical students, residents, and practicing physicians on how to successfully start and run their own DPC practices.
Dr. Farrago sold his Direct Primary Care practice in October 2020 but continues to receive care there as a patient.
Dr. Michael Sparks is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician and the owner of SparksMD Family Medicine in Sanford, Florida. At SparksMD Family Medicine, Dr. Sparks takes care of children of all ages from newborns to geriatrics in a true Direct Primary Care environment.
Dr. Sparks grew up in the Tampa area and pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida, earning a Bachelor's in Biology with a minor in Health Sciences. He then attended Ross University School of Medicine, graduating with high honors. Dr. Sparks completed his Family Medicine Residency at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida, where he served as Chief Resident during his final year.
Dr. Sparks embraced the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model early in his career. This approach allows him to build strong relationships with his patients by eliminating traditional insurance constraints. He has a keen interest in point-of-care ultrasound, particularly for diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal issues.
Dr. Sparks is also dedicated to medical education, teaching pre-medical students, medical students, and family medicine residents about family medicine and the benefits of DPC. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Sparks enjoys spending time with his family, including his daughters, wife, and two puppies. He enjoys running and watching soccer and hockey.
Dr. Matthew Hitchcock is a family physician, entrepreneur, and healthcare innovator based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is the Founder and CEO of Hitchcock Medical Group, a physician-led healthcare platform integrating Direct Primary Care, diagnostic imaging, and pharmacy services into a unified, insurance-independent model focused on transparency, access, and long-term patient relationships.
Dr. Hitchcock launched Tennessee’s first Direct Primary Care practice in 2014 and has since expanded his work into building vertically integrated care systems designed to restore simplicity and humanity to healthcare delivery. His work focuses on real-world implementation of DPC at scale, operational design, and the economics of physician-led alternatives to traditional fee-for-service medicine.
A former U.S. Navy physician and Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Dr. Hitchcock combines clinical practice with experience in healthcare strategy, informatics, and practice innovation. He serves as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, where he teaches residents about direct-care practice models and future-focused primary care leadership.
Through speaking, consulting, and national collaboration with physicians and employers, Dr. Hitchcock advocates for models that empower clinicians, strengthen patient relationships, and create sustainable pathways for independent primary care.
Alexandra Santiago, DO is a board-certified family physician and founder of BrightHEALTH Family Medicine & Wellness, a direct primary care practice in Frisco, TX. With a background as a competitive athlete and personal trainer, she developed an early passion for preventive health and wellness. She earned her degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Miami and her medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. After completing her Family Medicine Residency at Medical City Fort Worth, she partnered with a fellow resident to open a traditional insurance-based private practice. Despite the clinic’s success, she became increasingly frustrated with the limitations of the insurance-based system and its impact on patient care. Faced with the decision to join a hospital system or step away from medicine, she took a leap of faith and opened her direct primary care practice in 2021. BrightHEALTH Family Medicine was founded with the vision of integrating medicine and fitness to address the full spectrum of patient wellness. Now five years strong, the clinic continues to grow while allowing her to provide personalized, relationship-based care. Dr. Santiago is a wife and mother of two elementary-aged children. Her husband, who also has a background in fitness, leads the clinic’s fitness program, wellness coaching, and marketing efforts. Together they make a great team and are grateful for the balance and flexibility their practice provided for their family.
Dr. Jade Norris, MD (“Dr. Jade”) is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and the Founder and Medical Director of NSPIRE Primary Care, a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice in her hometown of Las Vegas. She launched NSPIRE to build a scalable, relationship-driven alternative to traditional insurance-based medicine — focused on access, prevention, and long-term physician-patient partnerships.
Dr. Jade blends evidence-based medicine with whole-person care, emphasizing prevention, chronic disease reversal, and personalized treatment plans that align with real life. Under her leadership, NSPIRE has expanded beyond traditional DPC to include employer partnerships, wellness initiatives, and innovative care models designed to improve access while strengthening practice sustainability.
A physician-entrepreneur and children’s book author, Dr. Jade is passionate about empowering families to take ownership of their health both inside and outside the exam room. She speaks nationally on DPC growth strategy, employer partnerships, preventive medicine, and building modern practices that allow physicians to thrive clinically, financially, and personally.
Outside of medicine, she is a wife and mother of two daughters. She values faith, family, and community, and enjoys fitness, pickleball, and serving through ministry.
Phil Boucher, MD is a pediatrician and founder of Frontier Pediatric Care, a direct primary care practice in Lincoln, Nebraska. Phil is passionate about reclaiming physician expertise in an era of medical misinformation — and helping physicians show up as the trusted healthcare voices their communities need. He and his wife have 6 kids, 2 dogs, 2 bunnies, and one more baby on the way this fall!
Aimée Wattiaux, MD (she/her) is a family medicine physician at Dedicated Family Care, a DPC clinic in the Madison, Wisconsin area. She attained her MD-MPH and completed her residency training through the University of Wisconsin—Madison. She worked at a Federally Qualified Health Center throughout residency, and as a bilingual provider (English/Spanish) she continues to serve a socioeconomically diverse population in her current practice. The most meaningful part of her work as a family medicine physician is the personal connections she makes with patients. She deeply values the opportunity to work with people in the context of their community, identity, values, and lived experiences. She is passionate about health equity and improving care for marginalized communities, and she has a particular interest in how weight bias can negatively impact patient care. As a size-inclusive provider, she aims to create a welcoming, non-judgmental space for patients to discuss their health and wellbeing in the ways that matter most to them. When not at work, she can be found listening to audiobooks, working on puzzles, exploring the outdoors, and going on (usually make-believe) adventures with her partner and kiddo.
Raised on a small farm in rural Oregon, graduating with honors from Oregon Health Sciences University, deemed most 'disruptive' resident of his Portland based residency, and now working out of his basement clinic in Hood River Oregon; it is readily apparent that Dr. Nathaneal Douglas, MD did not make it very far (at least geographically) in life.
Having found his passion for medicine on the remote plains of Ethiopia while assisting his Father on medical mission trips, Dr. Neal never really discovered how to do things the traditional way.
After failing miserably at family planning, but having the great fortune of marrying his high school sweetheart, his 5 children provide a delightful cacophony of footsteps, piano practice, and laughter that welcome all visitors to Heritage Family Medicine.
Residency POCUS director, home school teacher, retired DPCA Board Member, Allergist, ski coach, small business owner (x2), chicken farmer, acclaimed national speaker, Young Life volunteer, and the lawn tractor champion of his neighborhood, Dr. Neal has never mastered the art of saying "no" to just about anything. Equally at home repairing lacerations or wrestling his neighbor's steer, his true passion is for his faith, his family, his friends, and the community he serves with direct primary care.
Charles Opperman, MD, FACP, is an internist and owner of Simplicity Health Direct Primary Care in Dayton, Ohio. Six years ago, he left academic medicine, without any business experience, and started a DPC in the middle of the COVID pandemic. Somehow, it worked.
Today, Simplicity Health has grown to four physicians and a thriving tier-based membership model instead of the more typical age-based pricing that most DPC practices adopt. The practice continues to grow despite repeatedly breaking most traditional "good business rules.”
Before DPC, Dr. Opperman served as teaching faculty for the Kettering Internal Medicine Residency Program. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), a peer-elected honor recognizing leadership and excellence in internal medicine, which mostly means he really likes teaching.
His wife Sara, a former school counselor, left her career to help run the practice and keep things organized while Charles chases new ideas. Together they are raising two kids, ages 11 and 8, who think the office is just another place to get snacks.
When he is not talking about DPC, you will find him traveling with his family, obsessing way too much over the Dayton Flyers basketball program, or volunteering with high school students at his church.
Dr. Tracee Short, MD, is a burn surgeon and CEO of the Traumatic Skin Institute, and Vice President of the Health Foundation for Education and Research. Her work focuses on improving care for patients with complex skin disease, particularly those who often fall through the gaps of traditional healthcare systems.
With more than 12 years of experience as a burn surgeon, Dr. Short has dedicated her career to caring for patients with traumatic and chronic inflammatory skin conditions, including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Through the Traumatic Skin Institute, she develops patient-centered approaches that combine procedural expertise, lifestyle strategies, and long-term disease management—an approach that aligns well with the relationship-based care model of Direct Primary Care.
Dr. Tracee earned her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, completed her residency at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh, and a fellowship in burn surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She previously served as attending surgeon and Medical Director of the Burn Unit at the Baton Rouge General Regional Burn Center, where she also founded Camp Catahoula, a summer camp for pediatric burn survivors.
As a frequent national speaker and advocate for patients with chronic skin disease, Dr. Short uses her experience with DPC docs and practices combined with her passion about equipping clinicians with practical tools to diagnose, manage, and support patients living with hidradenitis suppurativa.
Dr. Lena Samuel, MD, DABFM is a board-certified Family Medicine physician with over a decade of experience providing compassionate, patient-centered care across clinical, hospital, and urgent care settings. She completed her undergraduate education at Hampton University and earned her medical degree from UMDNJ–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Samuel completed her Family Medicine residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center in New York City, where she trained alongside leading experts in the field. She also holds a Master’s degree in Global Public Health from New York University.
Dr. Samuel is a recipient of the New York University Master’s in Global Public Health award and the Word Alive Medical recognition. An accomplished researcher, she has authored publications featured in several international medical journals.
Throughout her career, Dr. Samuel has cared for patients in a wide range of settings, from rural communities with limited resources to medical clinics across the United States and the Caribbean. She believes strongly in the power of primary care, continuity of care, and preventive medicine to improve long-term health outcomes. Known for her warmth, compassion, and dedication to her patients, she is deeply valued by the communities she serves.
With over 20 years of experience in healthcare management, Brad has built a career at the intersection of medicine and business. He has successfully launched multiple clinics from the ground up, transforming them into multi-million-dollar, thriving practices known for operational efficiency and financial strength.
In addition to founding and scaling independent clinics, he spent five years managing the business office of a multi-specialty medical practice, where he oversaw financial operations, revenue cycle management, and strategic growth initiatives. His leadership helped streamline systems, improve profitability, and create sustainable infrastructure for long-term success.
Today, he brings that hands-on operational experience into the tax and accounting arena, where his focus is on helping medical professionals develop smarter financial strategies and reduce their tax liability. By combining real-world clinic management expertise with proactive tax planning, strategy, and accounting insight, he empowers physicians—especially those in Direct Primary Care—to increase profitability, strengthen cash flow, and build practices that create both financial security and professional freedom.
Dr. Mary Tipton was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska where she decided at the age of 10 that she wanted to be a doctor. She practiced her skills by butchering moose and salmon with her family. After high school she trained to be a chemical engineer at the University of Arizona but still planned on medical school. In 2001 she graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine and then completed residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Wright State University in Dayton Ohio. Her first job lasted eighteen years as a physician and owner at CopperView Medical Center in South Jordan Utah. In 2024 she was fed up with middlemen crowding into her exam room. She left insurance-based medicine entirely and opened Blossom Health, a direct primary care practice. Dr. Tipton works for her patients - not insurance companies or government payors. As a principal investigator, Dr. Tipton participated in hundreds of clinical studies, primarily studying vaccinations for children. Dr. Tipton is an assistant professor for Noorda College of Medicine, teaching internal medicine to third-year medical students.
John (Jay) Moore is a physician and owner of Nexus Primary Care, a Direct Primary Care practice in the St. Louis metro area. After growing up in rural Missouri, he spent twelve years at the University of Missouri where he went to undergrad, med school, and residency. In 2004 he moved to St. Louis. Since then, he has held a variety of roles in the clinical, sales, and operational areas of various companies. After working for companies like Anthem, Walmart, and Paytient, he decided to return to his clinical roots. He opened his DPC practice in 2024 and has since built it into a profitable and rewarding business, caring for hundreds of patients in the process. As a side business, he’s an owner and president of Geekway LLC, a St. Louis organization that runs Geekway Prime – a board game convention with an attendance of more than 3000 that takes place over four days every spring. He’s a big ole nerd in his free time, running a couple of Dungeons and Dragons games, reading lots of fantasy and sci-fi, and meticulously tracking his favorite restaurants on spreadsheets.
Aaron V. Sapp, MD, MBA, is a board-certified family physician currently serving as a physician at the Student Health Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He provides comprehensive primary care for young adults, at a Patient-Centered Medical Home with particular emphasis on sexual health, preventive medicine, and inclusive care.
Dr. Sapp is committed to creating affirming healthcare environments and advancing health equity. His work centers on improving access to accurate sexual health information and empowering patients through education and open dialogue. He is the co-author of Detox Your Masculinity and STI: FAQ, published by Microcosm Publishing, which reflect his dedication to addressing stigma, gender norms, and sexual health literacy through accessible public health communication.
In recognition of his advocacy and leadership, Dr. Sapp received the Catalyst Award from the University of Missouri LGBTQ Center, honoring “those who speak up, out, and often.” Through his clinical work, writing, and speaking engagements, Dr. Sapp strives to bridge the gap between medical evidence and real-world practice, promoting compassionate, inclusive care for diverse patient populations.
Shaunna is a licensed attorney and an experienced entrepreneur. In addition to her JD and MBA from Brigham Young University, she has an MA in English Literature from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. She's been helping entrepreneurs, both professional and technical, launch and grow their businesses for ten years. She founded Proviso Law & Business Consulting in 2022 with the objective of providing comprehensive legal, business, and financial services to DPC and DSC physicians in all states. Shaunna enjoys reading, writing, cooking (not baking), cycling, and paddleboarding. She has written and published two novels and a collection of poetry. She and Dr. John Sanders are the parents of four children.
Dr. Shane Purcell was born in Athens, GA, making him a true Bulldog by birth. He graduated from Armstrong State College in Savannah, GA, before earning his medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine. He completed his family medicine residency in Anderson, SC, where he continues to reside and practice.
Following residency, Dr. Purcell worked in private group practice for three years before opening his own cash-only primary care clinic in 2005. While building that practice, he also worked part-time at a local urgent care facility. In 2008, he purchased a dormant medical clinic on the “wrong side of the tracks” and transformed it into a combined urgent care and primary care center. Then, in 2015—having gained independence from third-party payers—he and a colleague established the first direct primary care (DPC) clinic in Anderson County, now known as Direct Access MD.
Dr. Purcell is an active member of the DPC Alliance and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). He served as the former Chair of the AAFP’s Direct Primary Care Member Interest Group and is a founding member of the Direct Primary Care Alliance. He currently serves as Treasurer for the DPC Alliance.
He is the author of Magic, Pixie Dust, and Miracles: A Guide to Direct Primary Care and Employers, which outlines how to connect DPC practices with employers of all sizes. He is also co-author of Good Care Feels Different: A Story About DPC. Dr. Purcell has spoken on direct primary care at the DPC Summit, Docs 4 Patient Care Nuts and Bolts conference, Hint Summit, AAFP FMX, Carolina’s Free Market Medical Association, TEDxFurmanU, and various DPC Alliance Mastermind sessions. He continues to educate residents, medical students, and other groups about the benefits of DPC.
As founder of Rapha Healthcare, a direct patient care practice, and CEO of Get Care Nexus, a SaaS platform built to streamline operations for healthcare and wellness providers, Dr. Green has a proven track record of helping practices thrive in competitive markets. She brings firsthand expertise in scaling patient-centered businesses while preserving optimal clinical quality. With over a decade of leadership in medicine, technology, and practice management, Dr. Green specializes in transforming the patient journey through systems, automation, and smart growth strategies. Her unique blend of clinical insight and business acumen positions her as a trusted voice for clinicians looking to attract, retain, and elevate the patient experience while reducing administrative burnout.
Dr. Brad Brown, DO has been drinking the DPC juice since early in medical school. He accidentally started his clinic, Strive Direct Health during residency and it has taken off over the past 5 years, with over 1200 patients, 2 docs, a PA, RN, and MA (and currently hiring...) the sky is the limit!
The first two questions people always ask him are "How tall are you?" and "Did you play basketball?" Well, the answer is 6'7" and yes, all the way through college. Now that's out of the way, Dr. B is grew up in a different state every couple of years, went to medical school in Glendale, AZ, and has settled in Erie, CO (between Denver and Boulder). His passion for DPC and entrepreneurship runs deep and he's excited to share some thoughts and techniques that have helped his clinic grow rapidly."
Drew Kitchens, CPA is a co-owner of Goodman CPA and a North Carolina–licensed CPA who specializes in advising Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice owners. As a fractional CFO and tax advisor, Drew works alongside physicians to simplify the financial side of their practices by helping optimize cash flow, improve profitability, and implement advanced tax strategies that can significantly reduce tax burden. He supports practice owners with tax planning, entity structure, cash management, and strategic decision-making as their practices grow.
Drew previously served as a Tax Manager at a Top 10 accounting firm and has experience supporting both closely held businesses and complex, multi-entity organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Accounting with a concentration in Taxation and brings a practical, physician-focused approach to financial leadership in the DPC space
Jeffrey Davenport, MD was born in OKC. Raised in Edmond, San Antonio, and Bartlesville, he returned to Edmond for high school. He graduated an Edmond Memorial Bulldog in 1993.
At Oklahoma State University he earned a BS in Biology with a minor in Microbiology from 1993-98. He then attended the University of Oklahoma college of medicine in OKC, OK from 1999-2003 earning his MD. This led to 3 years in Wichita, KS at the KU affiliated Wesley Family Medicine Residency Program.
After graduation from residency in 2006, he returned to Edmond and has practiced medicine since September, 2006. He was in private practice for 3 years, then employed for 5 years. He has now opened a medical practice he has dreamed of for years at One Focus Medical in April, 2014.
He met the love of his life very early in life. Christine and Dr D have been in love since they were high school sweet hearts. They’ve been married since 1998, and she is his best friend. They have two daughters: Megan, born in 2001 and Molly, 2004.
Dr. Davenport is a Family Medicine doctor, and he knows God gave him the gift to take care of people. The age old question is: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do? His response: “Exactly what I am doing now. God blessed me to be a Family Doc. I take care of people. That’s what I do. That’s who I am.”
