Big city living and small town living are two different things. We have either lived in or spent extensive time in major metro areas - Pittsburgh, DC, NYC, Tampa, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, San Diego, LA, East Bay area CA, and Phoenix. As Air Force officers we were able to experience Berlin, Copenhagen, Vienna, London, and Paris.
As a physician, I have done USAF medicine, large system medicine, and had my own private practice in Charlotte, NC operating with four family nurse practitioners and a physician assistant. I rounded on my patients in the hospital, saw patients in my traditional, insurance driven medical clinic, and served as a Medical Director for several 100+ bed skilled nursing facilities. I was working, working working. Working to pay bills, employees, and operating expenses. I was working to pay ever higher property and income taxes. I was missing out on life. I was spending too much time in traffic and not enough time with my kids.
I was not terribly happy with my chosen profession. I was tired of fighting the insurance companies and government to get paid for the services my office provided. I had the advantage of being my own boss, but I was working seven days a week approximately twelve hourse Monday through Friday, and four to eight hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Yes. I could go to shows, restaurants, and musems. Yes, I could go to Charlotte Panthers, Hornets, Knights baseball games, and Checkers hockey games. And on my rare times off, when I wasn't too tired or have other oblications, I did. But I can do this NOW, when I choose to do so, from the Roanoke Rapids area. I have MORE time to enjoy life. I can easily drive to Raleigh, Richmond, Norfolk, New Berne, Charleston and Charlotte. With the choice of two airports, I can fly where I want. If I want to go out on the lake, to the mountains, or to the beach, I can do that too.
God had different plans for me, or Fate, if you prefer. My car was struck by a teenager, shooting across two lanes of traffic. I suffered broken ribs, internal injuries, head injuries, and paralysis of my left arm and hand and was in the ICU for almost five months. My husband was told that I had less than 20% chance of leaving the hospital alive.
But we were blessed. We lost our clinic and our house, but I recovered. Although it was a terrible experience, I was freed from the gerbil wheel that my life had become. I was free to choose where we would start over. I chose to move to Roanoke Rapids. I chose to move where I could have significantly more impact providing medical care to an area needing more experienced physicians.
You are free to make your own choices, and we would love to have you. Smaller town living is not for everyone, but if you value family and friends, knowing and socializing with your neighbors, and having a huge impact on the health and wellbeing of others, then our area is well worth your consideration!
We have restaurants and several live entertainment venues, a distillery and a craft brewery being built. We have public and private schools, and plenty of churches to choose from. From area art and music festivals, outdoor activities, horses, and small track auto racing. But most importantly, you have a sense of peace, often lacking in larger cities. You have time to enjoy life, and at WellCraft Health you have FREEDOM from the dictates of insurance driven medicine.
Come, and check us out! Make good friends and have GREAT times!