Editor’s note: Dr. Jennifer Conde found Practice Real Estate Group through an online search in 2018. Facing the growing corporatization of healthcare, she felt compelled to practice dermatology on her own terms. Her journey from resident to successful practice owner showcases the challenges and rewards of healthcare entrepreneurship.
From Corporate Pressure to Practice Independence
“I was in residency when I saw what was happening in medicine: the large corporatization of healthcare, which I believe is leading to a lot of unethical practices,” Dr. Conde explains. “I wanted to dictate the way I practiced, and I knew that the only way I’d have control over that was to create my own office and model. That was super important to me.”
This push toward autonomy wasn’t a snap decision. Dr. Conde did extensive due diligence, interviewing with potential employers and exploring all her options before determining that private practice offered the control she sought.
Navigating the Challenges of Starting a Dermatology Practice
“It was very scary,” Dr. Conde admits. “You don’t learn anything about business and opening an office in residency, so my research happened behind the scenes through one-on-one conversations.”
She credits her residency program with providing valuable exposure to private practice settings and connecting her with mentors who encouraged her entrepreneurial path.
The First Steps Toward Practice Ownership
Dr. Conde’s methodical approach began with gathering knowledge from experienced physicians. Next came the financial considerations.
“I thought, ‘I’m a poor resident with a ton of debt—how am I going to afford this? Is this even financially reasonable? Who’s going to trust and believe in me to help finance this initial effort?'”
Fortunately, she discovered that banks offer physician loan programs specifically designed for new practitioners in her situation—a crucial finding that made her vision financially viable.
Finding the Right Real Estate Partner
When searching for healthcare real estate expertise, Dr. Conde turned to the internet. “I Googled terms like ‘opening a new practice,’ ‘dermatology real estate,’ and ‘finding an office.’ That’s how I found Austin Wheeler at Practice Real Estate Group.”
Though PRG wasn’t local to her Florida market, Dr. Conde valued their specialized approach. “I wasn’t worried about them being in Dallas. When they said they could help me in Florida, I jumped. So much can be done online now, and there weren’t many options like Practice Real Estate Group. They were one of the few companies doing what I was trying to do—fair, not a huge conglomerate, and offering a personalized approach that aligns with my own mission.”
The PRG Experience
Dr. Conde found that PRG’s expertise matched her needs: “Practice Real Estate Group was very responsive—they communicated well and were knowledgeable about dermatology real estate. They also welcomed my feedback.”
The result? “I’m very happy with the location and have absolutely no regrets. There’s no way I’d be happy being someone else’s employee. Now I’m even looking for someone to join my practice! I love that I always get to do the right thing because I’m not motivated by making money for a larger entity.”
The Rewards of Practice Ownership
For Dr. Conde, the benefits of owning her practice are clear: “The best part is the freedom, autonomy, and flexibility to practice medicine the way I want, including working three days a week to be with my kids the other two days. I get to balance both.”
The most significant challenge? “Human resources—110%,” she laughs. “My husband is the practice administrator, which has been great—he handles that part, but hiring and firing is tough!”
