Meet Sarah Whitney | Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Whitney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
I am a board certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and am able to operate my own primary care clinic. My clinic follows the Direct Primary Care model or DPC. This model allows for individuals who want to participate in my practice access to timely, competent and comprehensive health care. I care for individuals from infancy and beyond, males and females. Members of my practice never have copays for their visits, get greatly discounted lab testing rates and have appointments within a couple days. My members are also able to utilize telehealth for appointments, say when the farmer is stuck in the tractor and can’t get to town to discuss the rash on his hand or when your toddler is screaming with a fever from an ear infection on a Friday night. DPC members get exclusive access to their provider and the providers see on average 7-11 patients each day. This is quite different from corporate healthcare when individuals can wait 6 weeks for evaluation of an ear infection!

While pure DPC offices do not bill insurance, individuals are able to use HSA and FSA funds to pay for their memberships and services in the office. Also, individuals are able to utilize insurance benefits at the pharmacy, laboratory, imaging locations, medical equipment companies and for referrals to specialists! Membership in DPC practices is a great fit for those with high deductible health insurance plans as the total of insurance with DPC fees often costs less than annual enrollment with a low deductible insurance plan.

What should our readers know about your business?
I operate a sole provider primary care office for all individuals, newborn and beyond. I am able to treat acute (or sick) issues as well as managing chronic diseases (such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure). I really treasure getting to know families and watching them grow through the years. I really love helping my members live the lives they want to live.

Prior to operating my clinic, I have basically no experience in business. Learning about business management has been a welcome change of scenery to my daily routine but definitely not an easy challenge. I have attended many business building seminars and courses to help me learn how to operate my own business. I have also been most fortunate to network with many other nurse practitioners through the nation who also own and operate their own business very similar to mine. This networking support has been immeasurable to my growth.

I want the world to know that there is a different way to get healthcare where patients are in the drivers seat and you will have more than two minutes with your provider to address your concerns. Honest, timely, competent health care for the body and mind.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live outside of a rural town and appreciate the quieter things in life. There is nothing better than sitting in the prairie during the springtime with the grasses blowing in the breeze and cattle grazing on the horizon. Besides my back porch, lunch at El Jacal, a coffee from Peppy’s and ice cream from Mosqueda Delicacies are my favorite local stops.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It is purely by the grace of God that I am able to successfully operate my business. Aside from God, my husband Kelly has shown the most incredible, unwavering support for getting my business off the ground.

Website: https://integrativebm.com

Instagram: integrativebm

Facebook: Integrative Body & Mind

Image Credits
I took all photos provided with exception of headshot (Daydream Photography).