Featured Physician, Medical Professionals Triad, February 2023

Medical Professionals Triad

Featured Physician, February 2023

Michael J. Hilts, M.D.

Hilts Direct Primary Care

 Fun Facts 

• He was born in Missoula, Montana, and raised in Medford, Oregon.

• He roasts his own coffee beans.

• Their family pet is a 15-year-old miniature labradoodle, Brownie.

• When asked for something that would surprise people to learn about him, Dr. Hilts said that during his medical school and residency training, whenever he was on call for the hospital, he used to bake cookies for the nurses, which helped to minimize nighttime calls! 

How did you get your start in medicine? 

At age nine, I sliced through the flexor tendons of my finger while carving a pumpkin. From surgery to recovery, the entire process fascinated me. When I learned that my late grandfather and great-grandfather had also been physicians, I knew I wanted to be a doctor as well. 

How did your practice come to be? 

In 1999, I started my career in private practice with Piedmont Orthopedics. In 2014, God called our family to move to Texas. During our five years in Texas, we had some family health problems that were not helped by traditional medicine, and this led us to the discovery of a discipline called functional medicine, which aims to find and address the root cause of an illness rather than just treat symptoms. The lifestyle changes we made while my wife was being treated also greatly improved the health of the rest of our family. For this reason, I began studying functional medicine with the intention of using what I learned for the benefit of my patients. I quickly discovered how tough it is to implement this in a 15-minute visit! We moved back to North Carolina in 2019 and two years later, I learned about the movement called direct primary care (DPC). It is the perfect solution for me, as it allows ample time to use a functional medicine approach with each patient. Now I can truly get to know patients and try to address the source of their problems rather than just giving them a pill or referring them to a specialist. 

 

Click here to learn more about Hilts DPC. 

What makes your practice unique in our community? 

Mine is one of the first physician- owned direct primary care (DPC) practices in the Piedmont Triad area. DPC is a membership model of care in which we have eliminated the middleman (insurance). Instead, the patient pays a low monthly fee, and in return, they receive concierge- level care. Visits are 30-60 minutes or more, and patients have access to me by phone, text, or email. Patients love it, and so does the doctor! 

Does your practice have a mission statement? 

Promoting the freedom to pursue optimal health by making superlative health care both affordable and accessible, all while exceeding expectations by working for Christ. Our tagline is “Fixing the broken healthcare system, one patient at a time.” 

What are your goals for your patients and your practice? 

To optimize their health, I want each patient to learn about the importance of lifestyle, and that food can be used as medicine. Each patient will have a healthcare experience unlike any they’ve ever had. 

Tell me about the culture of your practice. 

We want our patients to feel that they are known and heard. My wife and daughter both work part-time with me, and it’s definitely a family business. We operate as a team. When my nurse (either my wife or our new nurse, Jules) is busy and the phone rings and I’m available, I will answer it and patients are often shocked! We all love this model of practice and enjoy getting to know our patients. 

How would you define quality care? 

Excellent medical care involves a close relationship between doctor and patient, adequate time for visits, easy access to the doctor, and affordability. DPC satisfies all of these. We like to say that DPC is relationship- based medicine. 

Do you want to discover quality care for yourself? Click here! 

Are there some practical actions you have initiated into your doctor-patient time to help your patients have a more productive experience? 

I try to get to know my patients on a personal level, not just their medical history. In addition, I share my personal story with them when applicable. In my experience, patients become more engaged in their care when they feel that they have a back-and-forth relationship with their doctor. I heavily involve each patient in the decision-making process. 

In your opinion, what are some of the biggest issues facing primary care providers today? 

By far, the biggest issue is the lack of time. The average face-to-face time in a fee-for-service practice is around 7-10 minutes. Doctors only have time to write a prescription to treat a symptom or else make a referral to a specialist. Family doctors are adequately trained to handle 80-90% of patient problems, but our insurance-based fee-for-service system doesn’t allow them to practice according to their training. Direct primary care, in my opinion, solves the time problem. 

Learn more about the benefits of DPC here!

What motivates you? 

I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and my desire is to serve Him. 

What concerns if any, keep you up at night? 

Making sure I’m doing everything that’s required for the business. I’ve been an employee my whole life, so being a business owner is a totally new experience. Thankfully, I have a tremendous team of advisors.

What keeps you engaged when things get hard in your practice? 

When I get flustered during a crazy day, I try to stop what I’m doing, say a quick prayer, and get re-centered. I try to treat each patient as I would want my family treated, and this also helps keep me focused. 

How do you try to maintain a balanced life outside of work? 

I’m trying my hardest to leave the “work stuff ” at work, and avoid getting on the computer when I come home. I absolutely love being with my wife and daughters, and we try to plan activities whenever possible. 

How do you de-stress or unwind? 

Spending time with my wife and daughters by going on walks or hikes or playing games. I also like doing yard work and other outdoor activities. 

Have you ever been close to quitting or changing careers? 

I can’t say that I would have quit this late in my career, but I had become very disgruntled with insurance-based, fee-for-service medicine. I’m thankful to God that He showed me DPC. 

How have you seen the practice of medicine change over the years? 

The majority of doctors have consolidated into big health systems. As a result, they have lost a lot of autonomy. In addition, they are in large part being told how to practice. 

Click here to discover old-fashioned medicine with a modern twist!

In what ways do you hope to see practicing medicine evolve in the future? 

Our healthcare system is clearly broken. Costs are unnecessarily through the roof. In my opinion, direct primary care is a big part of the answer to the healthcare dilemma. We should not be using health insurance to pay for primary care. The primary care part of health should be affordable, and insurance should be reserved for the big stuff like hospitalization and surgery. Medicine, labs, and imaging can be affordable if paid for with cash. If the majority of primary care physicians converted to direct primary care, patients would receive much better care, doctors would rediscover the joy of practicing medicine, and I believe healthcare costs would drop significantly. My goal for this article is to have many other doctors read it and be inspired to make the leap from corporate medicine to direct primary care. Young docs, start now and minimize your future chance of burnout. Older docs, don’t retire early - you still have lots to give. You can do this! It takes work and planning, but DPC docs are an extremely helpful and generous group, and we’re more than willing to help guide you. You’ll love practicing this way! It’s how you envisioned medicine when you signed up for it. Call me and I’ll point you in the right direction to get started.   

 

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your profession? 

When I am able to encourage a patient to make a lifestyle change and they come back a couple of months later and tell me it’s the best they’ve ever felt, it’s extremely satisfying! Changes like these can provide life-long benefits, as opposed to simply giving a pill to treat a symptom. I have patients who haven’t been to the doctor in years due to lack of insurance and are now able to get excellent affordable care because of this DPC model. 

What methods do you employ to keep improving your knowledge? 

During my commute, I listen to medical lectures. I read a lot of books about functional medicine. I regularly take continuing medical education (CME) courses. 

Do you have a career highlight? 

Our journey to Texas was an amazing experience. We grew tremendously in our faith and became extremely close as a family. The medical experiences in Texas, both in my practice and what we experienced from a family health standpoint, were the driving forces in my decision to study functional medicine, which has completely transformed the way I treat patients. We often wondered why God had called us to Texas, but in hindsight, it is perfectly clear to me. 

If you could offer any advice to younger physicians, what would it be? 

Learn everything you can about direct primary care. Strongly consider starting or joining a DPC practice. 

Do you have any physicians who have influenced you over the years? 

This past year, Dr. Amy Walsh (owner of Doctor Direct DPC in Raleigh) has been a tremendous resource for me as I contemplated and started my DPC practice. Likewise, Dr. Josh Umbehr (Atlas MD in Kansas) has been extremely helpful. The DPC community in general is the most incredibly helpful and generous group of physicians I’ve ever encountered. Early in my career, Dr. Bert Fields in Greensboro was very instrumental in my growth as a primary care sports medicine physician and is an always-available resource to this day. 

If you were not practicing medicine, what profession do you think you may have chosen? 

I was laser-focused on becoming a physician when I was younger, so I really didn’t have a backup plan. But in retrospect, I probably would have considered becoming an elementary school teacher. I also think I would have loved to be a farmer. 

Is there anything else you would like to share with us? 

My hope is that many primary care doctors who are in fee-for-service practices and who are disgruntled with the way medicine has become will read this and be inspired to pursue direct primary care.  

Getting to know the doc… 

When you were younger, what did you think you were going to be when you “grew up?” 

Prior to third grade, I wanted to be a professional baseball player like my dad had been. 

Your first job. 

I was a “lot attendant” at a used car lot. I detailed newly arrived cars and kept the cars on display clean. I am very “type A” and detail-oriented, so it was right up my alley! 

Tell us about your family. 

My wife is the most amazing, godly woman. She’s my best friend and the love of my life. She’s an RN by training and supports me in every way. In addition to working parttime as my assistant, she has become my “unofficial” office manager. My two daughters are the sweetest girls you’ll ever meet, and exceptionally talented in many ways. Though six years apart, they are best of friends. Rachel, who’s taking full-time college courses online at Liberty University, also helps work at the office once a week. Emery is a homeschooled eighth grader. Both girls helped my wife with clinic design and are also great with social media ideas. 

 

Indoors or outdoors person? 

Outdoors, for sure! 

The last thing you researched on the internet. 

How to interpret the results of genetic testing related to the body’s ability to detoxify. 

Your guilty pleasure. 

85% dark chocolate. 

Favorite snack. 

Sweet potato chips; a spoonful of sunflower butter (sunbutter). 

The last book you really enjoyed. 

The End of Alzheimer’s, by Dale Bredesen.  

A movie you could watch on an endless loop. 

I rarely ever watch TV or movies. 

A fun adventure you have been on. 

Our trip to Amish country in Pennsylvania, which included watching the show David at the Sight and Sound Theatre. 

The best advice you have ever received. 

That I needed to answer the question: Who is Jesus to you? It’s the most important decision everyone must make. 

Something in life you are happy you did. 

Coming to Greensboro in 1995 to do my family medicine residency and sports medicine fellowship. I met my wife, came to know Jesus, and the rest is history! 

Interests/hobbies outside of work. 

Hiking, fishing, anything outdoors, and roasting green coffee beans. 

Any hobbies you would like to try if you had more time? 

Skeet shooting. 

A bad habit you would like to change. 

Sitting and standing with bad posture! 

Among your friends, you are best known for what? 

Roasting green coffee beans. 

A place on your bucket list. 

Perhaps to visit Hilts Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada, named after my great grandfather Fred Hilts, a general practitioner. 

Favorite sports teams? 

None now. I used to like the Oakland A’s and the Portland Trailblazers. 

If you could spend a day in someone else’s shoes, who would it be and why? 

A farmer. I love doing hard physical work, and I love the idea of owning a farm. 

Anything your parents taught you that sticks with you today? 

Work to the best of your ability. Honesty, hard work, and perseverance will take you a long way. 

Personal accomplishment you are most proud of. 

Helping my wife raise two sweet, beautiful, godly young women. 

Charities you are involved with or support. 

Our local church, Samaritan’s Purse, and Mully Children’s Family. 

For more information about Hilts DPC, please click here! 

Source:  https://www.instagram.com/p/Co94X4zOWfr/