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
• Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

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

What if the practice of medicine is actually holding you back from building the healthcare company you envision?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Laura Purdy, MD MBA, a family medicine physician turned healthcare entrepreneur and CEO who has become one of the most visible voices in telemedicine. From her roots in rural southern Kentucky to building a fast-growth digital health startup while raising five children, Dr. Purdy shares her unconventional journey from Army hospitalist to business leader. Why did she choose telemedicine over traditional practice? What drives someone to publicly challenge state medical boards and call out archaic regulatory systems? Dr. Purdy reveals how she transformed frustration with broken healthcare systems into a thriving nationwide virtual business—and why she believes the practice of medicine is holding her back from her true calling as a founder and CEO.

This episode explores the realities of physician entrepreneurship, the complexities of managing 30+ state medical licenses, and the strategic decision-making required to build a scalable healthcare business. Dr. Purdy discusses the importance of delegation and letting go—from in-person practice to luxury status symbols—while maintaining clarity about her ultimate vision. She offers candid insights on dating as a physician (she's engaged to a pediatric neurosurgeon), the value of an MBA for doctors interested in healthcare business, and why she plans to retire from clinical practice within five years. What's the difference between being educated in business versus actually running one? How do you protect yourself in a regulatory environment that "does not care about you"? Dr. Purdy holds nothing back in this powerful conversation about autonomy, impact, and designing life on your own terms.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) From rural Kentucky to telemedicine CEO: Dr. Purdy's unconventional journey
• (08:17) Balancing relationships, family, and entrepreneurship without guilt
• (14:08) Anti-role models and building toward your future vision
• (22:16) The truth about multi-state licensing and regulatory risk
• (26:30) Retiring from clinical practice to build legacy and impact
• Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

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.

• (00:00:00) - Dr. Laura Purdy on Becoming More Public in Telehealth
• (00:06:52) - How to Prioritize Your Life
• (00:07:32) - How to Marry a Fellow Physician
• (00:13:35) - Role models in the workplace
• (00:17:56) - The Secret Life of Luxury Cars
• (00:21:34) - How to Get Out of Trouble With Your Medical Board
• (00:25:55) - When will a dermatologist retire?
• (00:26:31) - Why You Should Retire From Practice of Medicine

If your career is your oxygen, how do you balance international manufacturing, teenage kids, and the tears that flow behind the Instagram-perfect moments?

Join Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and host of Skin Deep, as she welcomes Ximena Kavalekas, the Ecuadorian-born fashion designer and creative force behind her eponymous luxury handbag brand. Known for blending Italian artistry with Miami sophistication, Kavalekas has built a successful fashion label specializing in exotic python and crocodile accessories crafted in Florence's most exclusive factories. But what does it really cost to breathe life into a dream? "This business is my oxygen," Kavalekas confesses. "I wouldn't be able to be without what I do." From studying at Polimoda in Florence to becoming the only Latin American designer with a flagship store in Miami's prestigious Design District—surrounded by Hermès, Dior, and billion-dollar brands—she shares the unfiltered reality behind the runway glamour.

This conversation goes beneath the surface of Instagram-perfect moments to reveal the tears, resilience, and courage required in fashion entrepreneurship. Kavalekas opens up about her failed first business during the 2011 recession, navigating complex customs regulations for exotic skins, and the dream every designer harbors: to one day sell to a major corporation like LVMH. How do you survive as a small luxury brand among corporate giants? What does it take to work with Italian factories that are "easier to get into Harvard than to get into"? From collaborating with Margherita Missoni to custom-designing crocodile doctor bags with 16 hand-matched skins, Kavalekas embodies the passion, mentorship, and hard-earned experience that defines lasting success in fashion.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Kavalekas reveals what it really takes to survive in luxury fashion

• (04:45) Failed business, economic recession, and the courage to start over in 2015

• (09:27) Navigating exotic skin customs regulations and Fish and Wildlife compliance

• (12:32) Getting into Italy's exclusive factories: "easier to study at Harvard"

• (18:37) Balancing international business, teenage kids, and family sacrifices

• Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

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:
Website: https:...

• (00:00:00) - It takes a lot of courage to start a business
• (00:00:16) - Meet Jimena Cavalecas
• (00:03:16) - Ximena Cavalecas on Starting a Fashion Business
• (00:09:10) - Exotics handbags: customs regulations in Italy
• (00:11:09) - The Secret to Starting a Luxury Factory
• (00:13:28) - The Dr. Crocodile Bag
• (00:18:18) - How Do You Balance Your Business and Family?
• (00:20:01) - Miami doctor and Missoni collaborator