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John Rothwell's journey from Army medevac paramedic to owner of a thriving Direct Primary Care practice offers a blueprint for healthcare entrepreneurs seeking both clinical and business success. With over 1,000 patients and three nurse practitioners at Island Direct Primary Care in Florida, Rothwell demonstrates how values-based healthcare can create sustainable, profitable practices.

The foundation of Rothwell's approach rests on two core pillars: "God, family, and community" paired with a commitment to being "loving, encouraging, and empowering." This philosophy shapes everything from patient interactions to business decisions, creating a practice that stands out in a crowded healthcare marketplace.

After experiencing traditional healthcare's frustrations firsthand, Rothwell leveraged his diverse background in emergency medicine and technology sales to reimagine primary care delivery. Starting as the first DPC in his county five years ago, he built his practice through initial word-of-mouth referrals, strategic partnerships, and eventually hiring a dedicated marketing professional. This methodical growth approach has yielded remarkable results despite charging premium prices ($99/month for adults, $49/month for children) – 25-40% higher than local competitors.

What truly distinguishes Rothwell's model is his investment in people. Rather than following the typical lean DPC approach, he prioritizes quality staffing, offering nurse practitioners 28-hour workweeks, uncapped PTO, and a clear salary progression from $100,000 to $150,000 plus profit-sharing. This focus on practitioner wellbeing translates directly to patient experience, with providers having the time and energy to deliver exceptional care.

Rothwell's strategic innovations extend beyond staffing to include free medications for patients, specialized functional medicine programs at premium pricing ($4,800-5,500 for six months), and carefully designed technology systems. Now planning his third and fourth clinic locations, including out-of-state expansion, he offers aspiring DPC owners crucial advice: "Don't go at it alone," and "If you're not ready to make less and live more, then being an entrepreneur early on in DPC is probably not for you."

Ready to transform your healthcare practice or start your own DPC journey? Connect with like-minded practitioners, find mentors who've walked this path, and remember that sustainable success comes from putting values before profits. Your patients—and your quality of life—will thank you.

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