In this episode of The DocNation Podcast, hosts Justin Nabity, Reid Lancaster, and Neil Dougherty are joined by Dr. Chaminie Wheeler, a passionate advocate for independent physicians and true physician leadership. Dr. Wheeler discusses how excessive regulations and administrative interference have eroded doctors’ autonomy, forcing them to comply with protocols that don’t always serve patients’ best interests. She highlights the financial incentives that drive unnecessary testing and medication use, arguing that the current system prioritizes profit over patient care.

Dr. Wheeler shares her journey from corporate healthcare to running a successful independent direct primary care (DPC) practice, where she can focus on the doctor-patient relationship without bureaucratic obstacles. She also discusses her work in Pennsylvania, organizing independent physicians to push back against hospital consolidation and restrictive covenants. The conversation underscores the need for doctors to unite and reclaim their decision-making power, with DocNation playing a key role in supporting this movement.