Dr. S Koehn

Episode 21 - When Is It Time to Leave the System for DPC? (with Dr. Sandra Koehn)

DPC| Primary Care| DPC Podcast
February 09, 2026•1 min read

What happens when a physician finally decides that family time, autonomy, and meaningful care are non-negotiable? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sandra Koehn, a family physician preparing to launch Planted DPC in Rochester, New York. Dr. Koehn shares her journey from employed medicine to Direct Primary Care, including the moment that pushed her to take the leap. We talk through boundaries, ideal patients, access to care, and how to build a DPC practice that supports both patients and real life.

Who Is This For?

  • Physicians feeling burned out by employed medicine and craving more autonomy

  • Doctors considering Direct Primary Care but struggling with fear, boundaries, or clarity

  • Clinicians who want to build a values-aligned practice without sacrificing family life

Key Lessons

  • The breaking point often reveals your true priorities.

  • Access and time are the real value drivers in DPC.

  • Your ideal patient is often someone in a similar life stage.

  • Boundaries must be set early to protect sustainability.

  • You don’t need thousands of patients to build a meaningful practice.


Dr. Koehn’s story is a powerful reminder that building a DPC practice isn’t just about medicine—it’s about designing a life you can actually live. If you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to jump, this conversation offers clarity, courage, and practical wisdom for the path forward.

Resources & Links

Planted DPC (Dr. Sandra Koehn)
https://www.planteddpc.com

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Dr. Gonzalez was born in NYC, but grew up in Virginia. She graduated from the University of Virginia and Eastern Virginia Medical School before completing her Family Medicine residency and Geriatrics Fellowship in 2002 at USC in Columbia, SC. She worked in Morganton, NC for 5 years at Burke Primary Care. After that, she headed the Primary Care Department at A Woman's View for 13 years and taught part time at the Geriatrics Fellowship in Morganton. She appreciates the privilege of working with her patients to improve their health, independence, and quality of life. She is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in Geriatrics.

Anne Gonzalez

Dr. Gonzalez was born in NYC, but grew up in Virginia. She graduated from the University of Virginia and Eastern Virginia Medical School before completing her Family Medicine residency and Geriatrics Fellowship in 2002 at USC in Columbia, SC. She worked in Morganton, NC for 5 years at Burke Primary Care. After that, she headed the Primary Care Department at A Woman's View for 13 years and taught part time at the Geriatrics Fellowship in Morganton. She appreciates the privilege of working with her patients to improve their health, independence, and quality of life. She is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in Geriatrics.

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