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MILITARY TRANSITION
MEDICINE To Solo Private Practice
By Kenneth Yu, MD
For many military physicians—whether they serve a few years I would start my own practice a year before I retired-- basically
or retire—the next stage is civilian practice. Options range from “moonlight” in my practice after hours. I wouldn’t have the pres-
private practice to academic to government (ie VA or contractor sure to generate positive income early since I was still employed
in the military health system). Some may even pursue part time in the Air Force. I would use those initial years to build up a pa-
work as locum tenens. Each choice presents its own advantages tient base so that when I did retire, I could work full time with
and disadvantages, and each doctor chooses the practice that best an established clientele and start making money. This grand plan
meets his/her goals. As a facial plastic and reconstructive sur- quickly collided with the cold reality of business, and I learned
geon, I decided to pursue a solo private practice. In my opinion, that making money is not a guarantee.
this is the most risky model, but which also holds the most po-
tential reward. For me, I was attracted by the freedom of being Once I started, I gave myself two choices. One, I could hire a
my own boss. I make all the decisions, and don’t need to run de- professional consultant to help me start my practice. I know
cisions by any committee or commander. I also liked the concept Texas Medical Association offered such a service to its members,
of growing my own practice. While I had been tasked to grow and I suspect there are other consultants who do the same. In
departments in the Air Force, or lead a group of men and women my mind, the advantage was an easier, quicker, and more thor-
to complete a mission, the idea of creating my own business, ough path to opening my practice. The biggest disadvantage
growing it, creating jobs and delivering a desired product was very would be cost; I learned these services are fairly expensive. The
appealing. second choice was to learn the steps on my own. The advantage
was eliminating a major expense. The main disadvantage would
Although I decided to open my own practice fairly early, I be a more painful and frustrating journey. When I weighed the
admit I did not dedicate myself to formulate a detailed road map two choices, I decided on the second path. I had time since I still
to achieve this. I had a vague idea of what I wanted to do, but had another year in the Air Force and could afford to make mis-
it was mainly from anecdotes of what I heard other military sur- takes. For me, minimizing my start up costs was very important.
geons had done before they started their practice. In a nutshell, Many years ago, I was influenced by a presentation by a successful
32 San Antonio Medicine • August 2017
