Today we’d like to introduce you to Inesa Salei.
Hi Inesa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My commitment to medicine began in Belarus, where, as an only child, I was instilled with the unwavering support of my loving parents and an innate, unshakeable sense that I was born to be a physician. After graduating from medical school in Minsk, my focus never wavered. In 1999, embarking on an exciting but challenging new chapter, my husband, our young daughter, and I relocated to the United States. Navigating the significant hurdles of establishing my credentials and practicing initially in Upstate New York was a long and difficult path, but my passion for medicine never dimmed. Although I gained valuable experience working within hospital systems, private groups, and large corporations, I consistently found myself constrained and unsatisfied. After moving to Florida in 2019, I found not only a new professional home but also a comfortable personal environment; I truly love Florida, as it has a wonderful energy and feels very comfortable to live in our state. This stability gave me the confidence to make the defining decision to open my own primary care practice. Supported by my family, and crucially, with my husband managing the business operations—I simply could not run the practice without his expertise—our office is now thriving. This success is further maintained by the constant dedication and skill of my amazing office staff, whose efforts are essential to keeping our practice successful and patient-focused. While independent practice brings immense stress and challenging moments, the autonomy to deliver medicine on my own terms—the way I always envisioned—fuels a profound and enduring love for what I do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the most significant daily obstacles in independent primary care is the pervasive feeling of not having enough time to provide the comprehensive, nuanced care my patients deserve, often due to the pressures of high volume needed for financial viability. This challenge is compounded by the ongoing battle with insurance companies, which impose burdensome administrative requirements, demand excessive prior authorizations, and frequently deny necessary treatments, diverting critical resources away from direct patient care. Furthermore, surviving as a small, independent entity requires constant vigilance against the competitive forces of large corporate healthcare systems—the “ocean of sharks”—which often attempt to consolidate the market and overshadow small practices. Successfully navigating these time constraints, administrative hurdles, and competitive pressures is central to maintaining the independence and personalized ethos of my practice.
What’s next?
My future plans are focused on scaling my model of personalized primary care to meet the growing needs of my community while maintaining the quality and autonomy that define my practice. Over the next five years, I intend to expand by integrating innovative care delivery methods, specifically leveraging telehealth and technology to improve patient access and continuity. I also plan to recruit and mentor a physician extender to implement a team-based approach, allowing me to dedicate more time to complex cases and preventative medicine initiatives. Ultimately, my goal is to transition the practice toward a value-based care model that rewards patient outcomes, solidifying my office’s reputation as a high-quality, sustainable center for comprehensive health.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saleiprimarycare.com
