Branch Out

Since 1997, Dr. Keith Smith has been pushing back against the status quo by creating America’s first free market surgery center (The Surgery Center of Oklahoma) and founding the Free Market Medical Association, with more than 30 chapters throughout the country. 

Dr. Smith’s convictions for transparency and integrity caused him to thoroughly examine the “system” he was a part of and make changes where he could – even if that meant leaving modern medical practice to pursue a different ideal. 

Join us for this episode of Branch Out, as Dr. Smith and Larson (possibly Dr. Smith’s biggest fan) discuss the important ideologies behind direct care and physician independence.

Top things to learn: 

• The golden rule in an economic exchange 
• The options doctors have in regards to accepting government money 
• What it takes to start/run a free market medical center

Top things from his story: 

• Former concert pianist turned anesthesiologist 
• Strong philosophical, ethical convictions led to changing the way he approached medicine

Links: 

• Find the video version of this episode on Youtube! https://youtu.be/k1hm-l9YZCk
• Dr. Smith's Website surgerycenterok.com

Books Mentioned: 

• Power of the Powerless by Václav Havel 
• Principles of Economics by Carl Menger

In this episode of Branch Out, Dr. Patten and Larson Hicks discuss how to be in good standing with hospitals. They go over the ideal number of hospitals to partner with, good relationships, and long term strategies to make sure you’re a dependable doctor.

In this episode, Dr. Ovadia (a cardiologist), Larry Hicks (a malpractice lawyer), and Larson Hicks discuss the benefits of being an independent physician and the cons of having to work in a system with malpractice agencies enforcing a restrictive definition of “normal medicine.”

Join them today to hear how malpractice agencies have missed the mark while independent physicians are working out the causes of heart disease!

Catch us on your favorite podcast streaming service!

Welcome to the “Sapling Series: Locums Done Right,”  with our hosts, Larson Hicks and Dr. Jason Patten! We will be posting a new episode once a month along with the mini version of a previous “Branch Out” episode. 

Before taking up medicine, Dr. Jason Patten piloted for the Air Force and worked as a firefighter. But after a few years in the healthcare industry, he founded his own successful locum tenens business. Today, he shares his secrets on how to gain flexibility while working at a hospital and how to become indispensably helpful by playing to your strengths (whether they are soft skills or extreme productivity). 

Want to know more? Check out our website: https://sycamoredocs.com/

In this new series, both old and new interviews will appear in bite-sized chunks! In under 20 minutes, you can get a great story and expert insight into the medical world. Join us for these Sapling episodes every other Tuesday!

Begging for more? Check out the full version on our website! https://sycamoredocs.com/podcast/83-no-frills-quality-healthcare-w-dr-gilbert-simon

Dr. Gilbert Simon has been a practicing physician for over 50 years. Through the establishment of clinics serving low-income families, Dr. Simon learned how to operate a successful practice on a shoe-string budget. He joined Branch Out to share his ideas on how the healthcare system can change its practices to reach more people and eliminate wasteful spending. Tune in to hear this lively conversation regarding overtesting, overtreating, and overcharging, as he and Larson encourage physicians to remember their original oaths and callings. 

Dr. Gilbert Simon has been a practicing physician for over 50 years. Through the establishment of clinics serving low-income families, Dr. Simon learned how to operate a successful practice on a shoe-string budget. He joined Branch Out to share his ideas on how the healthcare system can change its practices to reach more people and eliminate wasteful spending. Tune in to hear this lively conversation regarding overtesting, overtreating, and overcharging, as he and Larson encourage physicians to remember their original oaths and callings. 

If you'd like to learn more, visit Dr. Simon's website: https://nofrillsqualityhealthcare.com/ 

Dr. Donna-Ann Thomas, Yale University’s Division Chief of Pain Management and Anesthesiology, migrated from Jamaica as a young adult and found herself in a life-changing accident that would alter the trajectory of her life and career. Believing that things don’t just happen by chance, Dr. Thomas has committed her life to taking care of others through medicine and service-based missions around the globe. Her story is unique, uplifting and engaging, tune in now! 

It’s never been easier to start building your personal brand as a physician and to take the steps towards financial freedom and career autonomy. Join Branch Out’s host, Larson Hicks, as he sits down with Dr. Ernesto Gutierrez, who coaches other physicians into monetizing their expertise and building a lucrative side gig. This episode is one you do NOT want to miss! 

In 2018, Dr. Ernesto Gutierrez left medicine to fully invest in his own company. He now coaches physicians in medical marketing and business development – helping burnt out doctors build a personal brand and monetize their expertise. His pursuit of a healthy work-life balance has given him a wealth of knowledge he now shares with others. He believes physician-entrepreneurs are the future of a healthy medical system and they simply need to take the first step to see where it will lead!  

Since 1997, Dr. Keith Smith has been pushing back against the status quo by creating America’s first free market surgery center (The Surgery Center of Oklahoma) and founding the Free Market Medical Association, now with more than 30 chapters throughout the country. Dr. Smith’s convictions for transparency and integrity caused him to thoroughly examine the “system” he was a part of and make changes where he could – even if that meant leaving modern medical practice to pursue a different ideal. Join us for this episode of Branch Out, as Dr. Smith and Larson (possibly Dr. Smith’s biggest fan) discuss the important ideologies behind direct care and physician independence. 

Like many other doctors we have interviewed, Dr. Diana Girnita's journey to become a physician began during her hospital stay as a young child. The compassion and care she received during that time translated into years of dedicated research, education and excellence in patient care. Ultimately, Dr. Girnita established Rheumatologist OnCall in 2019, a telemedicine Rheumatology DPC that is expanding across the country.  She joins Branch Out to share her story and the principles behind Rheumatologist OnCall that make her a truly unique physician!