Physician Coach Kara Pepper Revives Solo Practice

Before I talked to Kara Papper, MD, if you had asked me whether physician solo practice was dead, I would have agreed! Now, I'm not so sure!

Many thanks to Kara Pepper, MD, for joining me on this episode of The Art of Medicine with Dr. Andrew Wilner! Dr. Pepper is an internal medicine physician and former professional ballet dancer.

After her residency in internal medicine, Dr. Pepper joined a corporate medical practice. Although she felt it wasn't the perfect fit, she stuck with it. After about seven years, she succumbed to burnout and left on sabbatical. She resumed her job but still wasn't satisfied. The stark reality of the COVID pandemic forced Kara to reassess her priorities.

Three years ago, she left corporate medicine to create a solo practice. What began as a telemedicine practice now includes in-person visits as well. She specializes in treating patients with eating disorders. By running her own practice, Dr. Pepper feels she can better serve patients, especially those who feel marginalized by the health care system.

Dr. Pepper also discovered a community of physicians who struck out on their own and developed satisfying and successful practices. She happily shares her experience as a physician coach with other doctors who are unhappy in medicine and considering solo practice. She emphasized that "physicians have a voice and autonomy…are not prisoners of their jobs, and can create something new."

To learn more about creating a successful solo practice, check out her website: www.karapeppermd.com or contact Kara Pepper, MD: hello@karapeppermd.com

@karapepper #burnout #solopractice #entrepreneur @theartofmedicinewithdrandrewwilner