How One Micropractice in Columbus, Indiana Offers Insights on Joy, Advocacy, and the Power of Physician Autonomy

Direct Primary Care (DPC) has taken the medical world by storm, carving out real, sustainable alternatives to traditional, insurance-driven practice models. For those already on the DPC journey or seriously considering it, learning from established physician-owners can provide both practical advice and profound reflection points. Dr. Teresa Lovins, owner of Lovin My Health DPC in Columbus, Indiana, brings an approach deeply rooted in personal connection, community engagement, and physician well-being. Through her experiences as shared on the My DPC Story Podcast, Dr. Lovins offers a blueprint and inspiration for anyone navigating or contemplating the DPC path.

This post will explore Dr. Lovins’ unique strategies around practice design, patient relationships, work-life boundaries, community building, advocacy, and resilience. Whether you’re just launching your clinic or looking to reinvigorate your approach, her story has lessons to enrich your own DPC practice.

The Power of Relationship-Based Care

At the core of Dr. Lovins’ philosophy is the conviction that medicine is most fulfilling—and most sustainable—when rooted in meaningful relationships between physician and patient. “It is the relationships that we have with our patients that give us joy,” Dr. Lovins stresses. This joy, she argues, is not just a nice-to-have but a critical antidote to physician burnout—a crisis that has driven too many talented clinicians away from primary care.

In her micropractice, these relationships are cultivated intentionally. Dr. Lovins comes into the office well before her first patient to ensure everything is ready—there’s no staff, no layers between her and those she serves. Patients benefit from longer visits, direct access, and an environment that feels like home. For example, a new patient receives an hour and a half time slot, and Dr. Lovins delights in their surprise as they realize she has “more time, if you’ve got the time.” The absence of time pressure allows for deep listening, holistic care, and a genuinely personalized experience.

Her day-to-day stories make this real: treating generations of the same family in one visit, caring for uninsured workers and their children, drawing blood on-site to save patients money, and even welcoming patients' dogs to the practice to support individual needs. Here, care is customized not just medically, but emotionally and practically, in ways insurance-based models rarely allow.

Beyond Concierge: Dispelling DPC Myths

One of Dr. Lovins’ recurrent challenges is distinguishing DPC from "concierge medicine." Many in her community initially assumed DPC was just for the wealthy or those seeking luxury care. She is quick to clarify: “It’s not concierge. I have patients who have good insurance and come to me for the relationship and access, but I also have people with no insurance at all. It’s not for the wealthy—it’s for anyone who needs care.”

She sees DPC as a lifeline for many underserved. Her patient panel includes people without insurance, those on high-deductible health plans, and medical sharing plans. She leverages her network (collaborating with colleagues to share vaccines and supplies) and powers of navigation (helping patients find the most affordable medications and labs).

The myth-busting message: DPC isn’t about exclusion or privilege. Done right, it increases access—particularly for those who find insured care unaffordable or inaccessible—and delivers substantial value by focusing resources on the physician-patient relationship.

Micropractice Mechanics: Running Lean and Loving It

Dr. Lovins’ practice is intentionally small and “micro”—she is physician, administrator, and office manager all in one. Her experience offers insight for those considering solo or small-group DPC models and grappling with how to blend clinical and administrative responsibilities without overwhelm.

Building a Schedule That Works

Rather than filling her calendar back-to-back with patient appointments, Dr. Lovins schedules to ensure control and sustainability. She blocks time for administrative duties: “My schedule is Monday through Friday, 9 to 4:30, but I set out a two-hour time block for meetings, paperwork, and inventory. I can see patients before or after, but I protect time for the business side.” This prevents the backlog of administrative tasks and supports balance in solo practice life.

Community Over Competition

Fears of isolation are common among those considering micropractice DPC. Dr. Lovins intentionally combats this by building ties with local colleagues—sharing resources, referring when needed, and supporting each other as physician entrepreneurs. On a broader scale, she participates in state and national DPC communities through social media groups, regional meetups, and attending the DPC Summit. “I've never had a single other DPC doc say they didn’t have time for me,” she reflects—proof that the DPC community ethos is one of collaboration, not competition.

Setting Boundaries and Avoiding Burnout

A unique concern about DPC is the potential for constant on-call demands—one set of shackles swapped for another. Dr. Lovins turns this on its head, explaining that the boundaries in DPC are actually stronger, thanks to the mutual respect cultivated in ongoing relationships.

“My patients don’t call me in the middle of the night. They text at 5:05 pm and tell me they don’t expect an answer until tomorrow. It’s completely different than when I was in a big group and anyone could call, anytime.” With a typical panel of 500 patients (not 2,500, as in traditional models), she’s able to offer responsive care without sacrificing personal well-being.

For those building or refining their own DPC practice, Dr. Lovins’ approach is a reminder that boundaries—clear communication, sensible access policies, scheduled off-time—are not just possible, but essential to a thriving, relationship-driven clinic.

DPC as a Path to Physician Wellness

Dr. Lovins is candid about her own battles with burnout, anxiety, and depression during her years in corporate medicine. Panic attacks before work, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of systemic failure are all-too-familiar experiences for many doctors. In contrast, DPC has provided her space to heal, restore her sense of purpose, and—by her husband’s admission—become a much happier person.

Her story highlights an often-overlooked benefit of DPC: it is not just about patient care, but about creating conditions for physicians to thrive. In an era where physician suicide is an urgent crisis (something she’s seen personally in her community), models like DPC, which center autonomy, meaningful work, and self-care, may be not only practice innovations, but life-saving interventions.

She draws attention to resources like the Lorna Breen Foundation (link below), supporting physician mental health, and challenges all physicians to be open about their struggles, to check on colleagues, and to recognize that burnout is a system failure—one DPC can help address.

Scope of Practice and Professional Fulfillment

A striking piece of Dr. Lovins’ journey is how DPC has empowered her to reclaim the full spectrum of family medicine. In a traditional employed setting, she was forced to refer out patients because of time constraints or restrictive corporate policies. Now, she performs EKGs, skin biopsies, immunizations, dermatologic procedures, chronic care, and more—all in her own office. She tackles what walks in the door, customizing care for each need and embracing the breadth that attracted her to family medicine in the first place.

The DPC model enables this by giving time back to the doctor and control over what services to offer. It also encourages continuous learning, entrepreneurship, and a sense of ownership. As Dr. Lovins notes, “You graduated medical school, finished residency—you can run a business. And if you don’t want to, join a DPC needing a partner. It is possible, and it’s rewarding.”

Advocacy, Leadership, and the Future of Family Medicine

Part of Dr. Lovins’ story is her commitment to advocacy. As a leader in organizations from the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), she argues forcefully that DPC and independent practice must have a voice at the highest levels. Why? Because residents and young doctors need to see that alternatives exist, and the profession’s leaders need to remember the value of clinical autonomy and entrepreneurial spirit.

She’s engaged with teaching, mentorship, and national advocacy, pushing for broader awareness of DPC in residency programs. She sees growing interest among medical students and new graduates who are “trying to figure out where they’re going to fit.” The current system often funnels trainees into hospital employment, but Dr. Lovins insists on showing that “employed is not the only option.”

Her advice: connect with DPC docs—Google your town, reach out, attend summits. The movement is growing rapidly, and there are resources and mentors ready to help.

Legislative Wins and Practical Takeaways

A recent win for the DPC community is the passage of the Primary Care Enhancement Act as part of HR1, which now allows patients to use their HSA funds for DPC memberships. Dr. Lovins has already seen the impact: small employers and patients are increasing their HSA contributions, knowing they now have pre-tax options for DPC care. Her practice’s family membership rates fall below the indexed HSA caps, making it feasible for families at all income levels.

For DPC clinics, this change is an opportunity to educate patients and employers and further establish DPC as a mainstream, affordable model—not a boutique luxury. Transparency in pricing, value in service, and flexibility in payment all create a compelling case for current and potential patients.

Personalizing Your DPC Journey: Reflections and Next Steps

Dr. Lovins’ story is, above all, an invitation to reflect on your own DPC journey. Here are some guiding questions and lessons to consider as you shape your direct primary care practice:

• Relationship First: Are you structuring appointments and communications to foster connection, not just efficiency?

• Redefining Access: How are you serving a spectrum of patients—insured, underserved, families, elders, and even their companions?

• Setting Boundaries: Where can you clarify policies to protect your time and reduce unnecessary stress?

• Learning Continuously: Are you tackling new administrative or clinical skills with curiosity and confidence?

• Building Community: Who are your local or statewide allies? How can you both give and receive support?

• Advocacy: Are you shaping the conversation about primary care at the community or organizational level?

• Caring for Yourself: What structures are in place for your mental health and personal sustainability?

As Dr. Lovins demonstrates, there is no one-size-fits-all approach in DPC—your practice can and should reflect your passions, your community, and your vision for medicine. What matters most is aligning your operations with your values and maintaining the courage to prioritize relationships—both with your patients and with yourself.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Joy and Meaning in DPC

Dr. Teresa Lovins’ story is both a testament and a challenge: DPC is not just a way to escape burnout, but a path toward renewed joy, agency, and lasting impact in family medicine. By centering relationships, insisting on work-life balance, maximizing the scope of practice, and advocating for independent models, she offers a vision of medicine that is as sustainable for the doctor as it is transformative for the patient.

As you reflect on your own DPC practice, take inspiration from Dr. Lovins and remember: joy is the foundation of enduring care. Whatever your patient panel, practice size, or region, the freedom and responsibility of DPC offer abundant opportunities to shape the next chapter of medicine—one relationship at a time.

For DPC news, community, and continued learning, visit My DPC Story and consider attending the annual DPC Summit or local meetups.

Author’s note: This blog draws exclusively from Dr. Lovins’ interview on the My DPC Story Podcast, as transcribed and shared above. All quotes and anecdotes belong to Dr. Teresa Lovins and podcast host Dr. Maryal Concepcion.

CONTACT:

Dr. Lovin's Website

RESOURCES:

Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation

A note from Maryal on Physician Suicide Awareness Day

WATCH HERE

LISTEN HERE