Episode 021 | If you're a specialist who knows there has to be a better way but doesn't know where to start, start with Diana Girnita, MD, PhD, FACR, visionary Founder and CEO of Rheumatologist OnCall and the Direct Specialty Care Alliance.

She's one of my heroes, and I'm so grateful she took the time to share her wisdom and experience with us.

Rheumatologist OnCall is a telemedicine company delivering specialized care to arthritis and autoimmune disease patients across multiple U.S. states. This innovative platform grants access to top rheumatology experts from the comfort of patients' homes, overcoming the typical delays of up to 6 months for specialist appointments. It provides timely, compassionate, evidence-based care at affordable and transparent pricing.

The company is built upon a groundbreaking healthcare model known as direct specialty care, offering a comprehensive approach that includes nutrition, mindfulness, physical therapy, and cutting-edge medicine.

Educational background: Dr. Girnita is double board-certified in rheumatology and internal medicine. She holds a PhD in immunology and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, an immunology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, and a rheumatology fellowship at the University of Cincinnati. Additionally, she graduated from the Nutrition Science course at Stanford University and a Mindfulness course at The University of Massachusetts.

Recognized as a "Top Doctor" from 2017-2020, Dr. Girnita was featured in the New York Times,  she is frequently invited guest speaker of the National Arthritis Foundation and American Congress of Rheumatology. She generously shares her expertise on her popular YouTube channel, boasting over 65,000 subscribers and more than 5 million views. 
In this episode:🔥 Early career physicians need independent role models
🔥 From cardiologist in Romania to post-doctoral fellow at Harvard
🔥 Life is what happens, not what you plan
🔥 Doctor life within the System: "You start to sacrifice from somewhere."
🔥 What you can do to improve your relationships with your patients AND your family
🔥 The unique value proposition of telemedicine
🔥 "But how am I going to bill for this?"
🔥 Getting started in direct specialty care -- borrowing from the private practice model in Romania
🔥 Having the courage to increase your prices
🔥 "They had to refer in their system"
🔥 All the things primary care docs wish they had time to do
🔥 Systems that take advantage of our good nature
🔥 Hiring and delegating
🔥 Great doctors are leaving medicine
🔥 Primary care as air traffic control
🔥 Learning from our patients
🔥 Taking holistic back from internet marketeers and autoimmunity charlatans
🔥 Multi-state licensure strategy
🔥 Getting your face in front of the camera
🔥 Discovery calls, social proof, pricing
🔥 Doctors supporting doctors
Connect with Dr. Girnita:
Rheumatologist OnCall
Direct Specialty Care Alliance
YouTube
LinkedIn
Instagram
Rheumatologist OnCall on FB Page
Rheumatoid Arthritis Warriors FB Group
Specialists for Direct Care FB Group

From Dr. Lewellis:Sun Powder
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