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To personally welcome some of AID's newest members, and congratulate them on their recent exit from hospital employment, AID Executive Director Marni Jameson Carey earlier this month met with Tryon Medical Partners CEO Dr. Dale Owen and the group's transition leadership team, in Charlotte, NC.

"I wanted to find out more about how Dr. Owen and his partners reinvented, rebuilt and rebranded a practice in just 90 days," said Carey, who toured two of the group's eight new clinics located across Mecklenburg County region during her visit.

Dr. Owen, a cardiologist, and his 87 physician partners recently ended their employment contract with Atrium Health, and opened their new independent practice Sept. 5. Shortly after opening their doors, the group of 63 internists and 25 sub-specialists joined AID.

Carey and Owen are working together to share Tryon's message and methods with other practices nationwide who would like to successfully pursue independence.

"Over the past several months, we have been focused on standing up our clinics, and hiring 320 employees," said Owen. To date, the practice has attracted 78,000 patients, a number that is growing by 1,000 a week.

"We are now ready and eager to work with other like-minded practices nationwide to foster a collective vision and bring them with us," he said. Joining AID is a step in that direction.

Tryon Medical Partners was founded in 1936. The group rebranded as Mecklenburg Medical Group in 1972, and joined Atrium Health (previously Carolina Healthcare System) in 1993. Their exit ended a 25-year employment contract.

"Our doctors felt that we weren't practicing the type of medicine that drew us to become physicians," said Owen of his group's motivation to become independent again.

"When a primary physician only has 15 minutes with the patient and half of it is on the computer, that's not enough time to fully take care of the patient properly," he said. "The result is higher health-care costs for everyone, dissatisfied physicians and worse patient outcomes. As an independent practice, we can better control how we practice medicine and our destiny."

Among the most gratifying moments of the journey, Owen said came on the day the group opened its first office. "I was in the waiting room shaking hands with patients, thanking them for coming with us, when one said, 'We can't believe that you doctors put your professional careers on the line for us.' Then everybody started to cheer and clap."

A video interview with Dr. Owen is available at www.BOHSeries.com.This interview is part of a series made possible by the North Carolina Medical Group Management Association and Mako Medical Laboratories .

By reading, watching or listening to this interview, you may self-report to earn 0.5 hours Continuing Education Credits for Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) or Fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Executives (FACMPE) credentials.