Fired physician successful in crowdfunding direct primary care practice

A physician let go from Lebanon, Tenn.-based University Medical Center has turned his setback into an opportunity, officially opening his own innovative practice in Middle Tennessee, according to WIBW 13 News.

Robert Steves, MD, or "Dr. Bob" as his patients call him, announced to a crowd Sunday his new practice, called the Town Doctor, is open for business and accepting new patients, according to the report. The direct primary care practice — in which patients pay a monthly membership fee to attend — is the first of its kind in the area, according to the report.

The Town Doctor's path to creation is also unique. Dr. Steves' patients helped him get it off the ground with $6,000 in donations through GoFundMe, which he told WIBW helped fund some of the licensing required to open the practice.

Dr. Steves has said he was terminated from the medical center without official reason. He was very popular among patients, however, and many plan to follow him to his new practice, according to the report.

 

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