Malia Ray, MD.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
My initial plan was to practice Lifestyle Medicine, helping people with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and vascular disease. Early on, perhaps because it was at the start of the pandemic, I recognized the need for more options for people struggling with their mental health. This lead me to complete an integrative psychiatry fellowship. I also have a passion for helping women navigate perimenopause/menopause. My clients fit into one of those three categories.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I love to learn and I love to use my creative side in the art of practicing medicine. I wanted to be able to spend enough time with my clients to really get to know them and to have discussions about lifestyle and other modalities that may benefit them. It is hard to find an environment in a medical institution that allows for those things. The relationships that I have with my clients are my main motivator to keep at it.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
I don't think I can choose just one! My most proud moments are when clients begin to demonstrate more self love and acceptance. People are so hard on themselves and it is
a challenge to help someone sustain the necessary behavior changes that will benefit their medical condition if they are doing it from a place of self criticism and negative self talk.
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
The time it takes to run the business. I continue to be blown away by all of the administrative tasks, especially those that pertain to insurance.
5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\
These would be my pieces of advice:
- Try to delegate as many of the administrative tasks as you can.
- Get creative with your financial model, especially if you want your appointments to be > 15 minutes.
- Find your tribe (and a mentor if you can). Having the support of other small business owners in the healthcare space is a game changer.