Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Dalian Caraballo.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. Caraballo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Healthcare is a life-long journey that not necessarily needs to wait for illness to be started.
Having a relationship with a doctor that is based on trust and respect, is a keystone for better care and healthier life.
Sadly, this is very difficult to achieve within today’s healthcare system as it is driven by insurance bureaucracy.
Outrageous premiums, copays, unavailability of appointments and hyper-inflated prices for medical services are some of the common barriers that are not allowing families to obtain the healthcare that they deserve.
Like many people in our country, I also became frustrated with the current healthcare system as a person & as a physician. I grew tired of seeing how patients have driven away from the access to the health care that they needed and mostly, due to the cost and complexity of insurance companies. On the other side, as a family physician, for me, it is very important that patients have access to their doctor, have the opportunity to discuss with their doctor their medical needs ( no matter if it’s 15 mins. or 1 hr.), that they can obtain care promptly when they become acutely ill, that they have a doctor who can guide them through wellness and healthcare and who gets to really know them. Ultimately everyone needs access to primary care, regardless of insurance status or pre-existing conditions. Having a strong relationship with a personal doctor can help patients be in their best health and keep them away from diseases that can be preventable and out of the hospital.
I am a board-certified family physician in Miami, FL. I was born and raised in my beautiful Puerto Rico where I completed a bachelors degree in Biology at the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico. I earned a medical degree at the Iberoamerican University School of Medicine (UNIBE) in the Dominican Republic and completed a specialty in Family Medicine at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ohio, where I served as a Chief Resident. After residency, I worked in the field of urgent care and occupational medicine before moving to Florida to begin a career in correctional medicine in 2013.
In March 2017, I also joined a group of physicians who were dedicating themselves to change the way medicine is delivered throughout the nation and opened the doors to my office, Your Family MD – Direct Primary Care.
As physicians, we can’t sit & wait for someone else to fix this big problem; we need to do our part. Let us help fix healthcare by doing what we love and what we were called for: Serve & Advocate for our Patients.
“I have embarked in the journey to restore the faith in healthcare.”
My office, Your Family MD, is a different doctor’s office with a new approach to healthcare, called Direct Primary Care. My patients do not use health insurance to obtain medical care. They become members of my practice & simply pay a flat monthly fee. There are no copays, no hidden fees and no crazy bills in their mail. By becoming a member, patients have access to complete primary care services making their healthcare: Personal, Convenient and Hassle-free.
My patients enjoy the exclusive benefits of having a one-on-one relationship with their primary care doctor. They become part of a small & unique family practice. I want them to feel welcomed, and to know that I am here for them & that they are not just another number. They receive the time & attention that they deserve. That is how I get to know them and become part of their life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not. Starting my own business was a challenge by itself as I am a physician with no training on managing a business. I remember discussing the idea with my husband and going over our options. One of the biggest challenges we faced was figuring out how to start the business and where we get the money. We honestly, we’re not in the position of getting another loan, on top of our student’s loans. So, I decided that I would keep working my full-time job, make an adjustment in our spending and financial needs to separate a little bit of our income to slowly build up my practice. So, all of us, including my daughter, made sacrifices for this. We believe in Direct Primary Care. We believe that is the best model for our patients and for us as physicians. I rented my office, painted it, found my examination bed and desk in craigslist (my husband was petrified as I went to get it by myself), got my electronic medical record system, my blood pressure cough, two chairs from Ikea and my stethoscope and opened my office. Slowly with time, I have been adding everything else I needed. It has been really hard, a lot of sacrifices but so rewarding. I knew from the beginning that it was not going to be easy, but it was so worth it the try. I worked my full time of 40 + hrs per week, then the rest of the time I was here at my office. I definitely went out of my comfort zone. I learned how to build my own website, how to do my own social media videos, and post an advertisement learned how to manage a business part of my office, took care of patients, took care of my house, my daughter, etc. I continue to do so. Wearing so many hats has not been easy but I have grown personally, professionally and spiritually. I can honestly tell you that there have been many times I have felt discouraged, because going against the “current” and breaking the ice with this new model, has been very challenging. However, God has never let me alone and always place people and circumstances around to uplift my spirit.
My advice for young women: I am not a feminist, but I have such an admiration for women. We are resilient, You are all resilient and there is nothing you can’t do. We wear many hats at once, we are professionals but at the same time, we are mothers, wives, friends, students, etc. Do not give up. Work hard for what you believe in, surround yourself with like-minded people as those would be who will pick you up when you fell down or cheer you up when you feel like falling. Also, it is ok to ask for help. Take breaks when you need to and as much as you need to, recharge and come back. If one door closes, then knock on another one. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. I have to constantly remind myself about this and learn how to say no. 🙂
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a board certified family physician. I am known for providing medical care without the needs for insurance and for introducing direct care to the south Florida community, I believe what sets me apart is that I care about my patients not only their health but also the other aspects of their lives such as spiritual, mental and financial.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve tried to connect with like-minded, positive, honest people.
Pricing:
- Adults $ 150 / month (19 years old (+))
- Couples $ 250/ month (2 adults)
- Family $ 260 / month 2 adults + 1 child (up to 18 years of age). Additional children can be added at $15 / month per each child.
- Single Parent with child $ 160 / month 1 adult + 1 child (up to 18 years of age). Additional children can be added at $15 / month per each child.
Contact Info:
- Address: Your Family MD 11240 N Kendall Dr. Suite 201, Miami, FL 33176
- Website: www.yourfamilymd.com
- Phone: 7865307006
- Email: info@yourfamilymd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdalianc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrDCaraballo
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/daliancmd
- Other: https://www.doximity.com/pub/dalian-caraballo-md
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