Dr. Wilson and Dr. Young first ventured into the business side of medicine in 2013, when they started a concierge, primary care practice together in Bryan-College Station called MyMD. They were drawn to this model because it allowed them to do something almost impossible in traditional ER’s – provide excellent customer service and medical care to their patients by taking the time needed to diagnose and treat their medical problems.
In order to arrange his schedule to accommodate this new practice, Dr. Wilson started working at several independent freestanding emergency centers (FECs). After just a few shifts, he realized that practicing emergency medicine within the freestanding model was actually what he and Dr. Young had been looking for when they started their primary care practice.
Dr. Wilson soon convinced Dr. Young to give the freestanding world a try. His initial reaction was one of disbelief. He was unaware it was possible to combine emergency medicine with the service and level of care they routinely experienced in an FEC setting.
They liked everything about working in the FEC, other than the commute. The nearest facility to their homes was 75 miles away. After careful reflection, they decided that the patients of the Brazos Valley should have access to the same amazing care they were providing to patients in the Houston and Dallas area. In January 2014, they started working on CapRock Emergency, which they planned to build in College Station, Texas. Construction began in August, and a very short time later they saw their first patient within minutes of opening on December 16th of the same year.
Moving from the clinical to the business side of medicine has had its rewards and challenges. Dr. Young and Dr. Wilson have greatly enjoyed the freedom they have to quickly make decisions that improve the lives of their patients and employees. The lack of bureaucratic limitation has been refreshing as well.
However, with that freedom came a large degree of responsibility and burden they previously had not experienced. Although they expected a challenge, they are still astonished at how much time and effort is required to run a single facility that meets their high standards. As with most Emergency Physicians, they had never been involved in the management of the facility side of an Emergency Department with its resultant challenges and opportunities.
With all the expense and effort required so far, both doctors are anxious about the future success of their freestanding emergency center. Unfortunately, getting involved with the business side of medicine includes greater exposure to the risks of legal changes, competition with large health care systems, and local politics. So much of their success depends on the decisions of policy makers that are beyond their control.
Membership in TAFEC has been crucial for keeping Dr. Young and Dr. Wilson informed of important issues facing them and their new industry. TAFEC has actively sought their input to guide lobbying efforts. This has given the doctors unprecedented access to the political system that can so easily affect their business. Both Dr. Wilson and Dr. Young feel that it is critical for the owners of FECs to be unified, as individually, they represent small players in a complicated political system and rapidly changing, competitive healthcare industry.
CapRock
Lon Young
MD – Managing Partner
Medical Director, Board Certified Emergency Medicine
Andy Wilson
MD – Managing Partner
Board Certified Emergency Medicine