Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Carolyn Francavilla, a family physician and obesity medicine specialist who founded Green Mountain Partners for Health nearly a decade ago. What drove her to launch a practice just seven months pregnant, a year out of residency? Dr. Francavilla serves on the board of the Obesity Medicine Association and chairs the AMA's Private Practice Physician section, bringing unique insight into building sustainable, patient-centered care models. Her all-female practice has thrived by maintaining an unwavering mission: never sacrifice time with patients for profit margins.

The conversation explores the explosive growth of GLP-1 medications, the future of obesity treatment beyond semaglutide and tirzepatide, and when bariatric surgery remains the gold standard. How can private practices stay lean yet profitable while accepting insurance? Dr. Francavilla reveals her strategies for hybrid membership models, virtual assistant integration, and the unconventional hiring approaches that built her team. From navigating compounding pharmacy controversies to mentoring pre-med students, this episode delivers actionable wisdom for healthcare professionals seeking clinical autonomy.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) From family medicine to obesity medicine: Dr. Francavilla's unconventional career path
• (01:46) Starting a practice seven months pregnant and one year out of residency
• (03:44) The GLP-1 revolution: how semaglutide and tirzepatide transformed obesity treatment
• (06:55) When bariatric surgery is still the most powerful tool for weight loss
• (08:42) Navigating private practice challenges while maintaining your mission
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About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field.

About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services.

Resources:

Green Mountain Partners for Health (practice website): https://www.greenmountainpartnersforhealth.com/

Colorado Weight Care (weight loss program): https://www.coloradoweightcare.com/

Help...

• (00:00:00) - Private Practice Owners' Guide
• (00:00:19) - Anatomy 101: Obesity Medicine Specialist Guest
• (00:01:55) - Primary care physician's focus on obesity and diabetes
• (00:03:54) - GLP1s and bariatric surgery
• (00:08:33) - Private Practice in Colorado
• (00:13:53) - How big is your practice? Virtual Assistants, in-person
• (00:14:56) - Private Practice Physician on Hiring