Regan Tilley, DO.
1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?
WHOLEhealth MHK is dedicated to helping our clients find their WHOLE health--body, mind and spirit. We practice under a direct primary care model, which is a monthly membership giving access to the provider 24/7. We eliminate the insurance middleman, in order to provide personalized medicine as it should be, between the doctor and the patient. Our typical client is a high performing woman in her forties, who is looking to find energy, happiness and health.
2. Tell us about yourself.
I've been in healthcare since 1996, starting as a nurses' aide and working my way up. After many years in the hospital as a nurse, my own health challenges, and observing patients who thrive vs just survive, I was guided to integrative and functional medicine. I had a severe flu shot reaction in 2017, and knew that if things did not change for me professionally, I would end up in an early grave. This spurred me to action to open my own practice so I could help people the way they should be.
3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.
I have so many patients I am proud of, but one in particular I started seeing when they were 16. They were referred by a therapist, because the meds they tried weren't working and they were just aware enough to know that functional med worked. After a few years of the teen's dedication with the support of their family, we finally came to a diagnosis of PANS, mold illness and some genetic issues. Through their diligence to the diet, vitamins and lifestyle changes they are in remission!!
4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?
No one really teaches doctors how to run a business. Every time you ask, they assure you there will be someone to do that for you. Well...I literally have to know how to do everything from bookkeeping to housekeeping, and all while being on top of my patients' needs. I have fortunately been able to hire the things that are not my genius out, but I am still the one that is responsible for running the business. Self-care gets put last often, but it is a reminder to do it every time I tell a client
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:
- Be educated on the laws governing your scope of practice.
- Make the time to set up standards of practice early on, because it is very difficult once you get really busy and need help to stop and do this.
- Trust your gut, hire slow, fire fast if you have an employee that is not providing a value to your business.