In this episode, Dr Thomas White welcomes Dr Andrea DeSantis, a Family Physician from Charlotte NC, to the podcast. Hear Dr DeSantis describe her journey from growing up in Pennsylvania near Philadelphia with strong family ties and traditions, the impact of her grandfather's family doctor's house calls, her early career in the hospitality industry, her ultimate decision to pursue medicine, and why the specialty of Family Medicine resonated with her. Her career has been devoted to providing access and care to those who have historically been denied these, and she does so on the local level as a clinician, an educator, and on the state and national level as an advocate and thought leader. In this podcast, she shares her lessons of being in the moment with the patient, the importance of earning their trust over time, and the value of listening with intention and flexibility. We are confident you will find our guest thoughtful and inspiring!

In this new "mini lesson" we discuss the topic of the new patient coming in for their first visit to their new doctor. Listen to an (almost) real story about the experience of one of Dr White's former patients. Some very wise NC Family Physicians weigh in with their perspectives, leading to five lessons to consider. We hope you find this episode on a topic not commonly discussed both thought-provoking and valuable.

In this episode, we continue to explore the topic of "Time" and "Balance." Listen to Dr White's discussion with Dr Ben Aiken, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and the MAHEC Family Medicine Residency who now leads Lantern Health, a direct primary care practice with two locations in Asheville NC. Dr Aiken shares the lessons he has learned in his first job as a "juggler" and later as a collegiate athlete, student, resident, practicing physician, husband, and father. In addition to practical tips on incorporating physical activity and emotional health in an office setting, he offers wise perspectives on the future of Family Medicine, encouraging patience, persistence, and optimism. You will quickly understand why his grandfather, a revered Family Physician who practiced in Tennessee, would be so proud of his grandson today.