From an early age I was interested in the medical profession, thought it was also in my blood. My father was a General Surgeon, and my mother assisted with his practice. Of the 10 children in my family, two of us are ER Physicians, five are Orthopedic Surgeons, one is a nurse, one is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and one is soon to be a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership. Growing up, my siblings and I were exposed to the practice of medicine through volunteering in the community and working in local hospitals. I was always attracted to assisting others with acute needs and was always willing to help. Several years ago my wife and I explored the opportunity of opening a freestanding emergency center (FEC). However, the timing and circumstances weren’t right. A random Facebook message in December of 2014 turned into a fantastic opportunity for my wife and I to partner with some wonderful, experienced physicians. We opened our FEC 11 short months later.

The most rewarding aspect of managing/operating a FEC is providing superior quality emergency care without the wait and hassle of a traditional ER. Being able to spend time evaluating a patient, while actually getting to know them is very rewarding.

If policies need to be changed, we change them. If we need a piece of equipment to improve care, we purchase it. It is so much more efficient than the bureaucracy of a traditional hospital. Teamwork is everything at our facility. Our team members are the heartbeat of our facility. Being able to reward them and show them how much we appreciate them is one of the best perks of ownership. Success means nothing if you don’t share it with those helping you achieve it.

The biggest challenge is managing a business that never closes. The second biggest challenge is insurance companies. We have a lot of Arkansas insurance because we are a border city, and that has been a big task for our billing company. Fortunately, they were up for the challenge.

TAFEC is setting the standard in assisting those who now choose to treat patients in the best and most efficient care setting for emergencies. With the support of TAFEC, FEC’s are the single greatest “game changer,” not only in my career, but also for patient care. TAFEC is setting the standard for emergency care in our state and for its citizens. I am honored to belong to such a proactive leader in emergency care.

I love being an emergency medicine physician. To be able to see a patient and their family in their most dire need for emergent care, and to have a positive impact on their lives is very rewarding. Now I have the ability to do that in a place with other physician owners who all share the same passion toward patient care – that is an amazing feeling. I truly believe that I was led to serve; this is my ministry. It is also an honor to serve the community where I have deep roots. I am invested in this community that has given my family and I so many opportunities and I am proud to call it home.