Local Talent: Local Business - Episode 24

This episode contains references to suicide

When medicine is a business, what does it mean to take care of a patient? And
how do you do it without sacrificing your own well-being and your bottom line? On this
episode of the newly rebranded Local Business podcast, Jason talks to nurse
practitioner Sean Dittman about his medical practice, Affinity Family Care, based on
Brite Road in Cibolo.
Sean tells Jason how he qualified as a nurse practitioner and about the journey he went
on from working for someone else to setting up his own practice. Sean gets honest
about the mistakes he made early on in the business and says what he would do
differently today. He also shares some great insights into being a business owner and
dealing with the risks that come with the entrepreneur life.
Jason and Sean have an honest discussion about the state of healthcare in the U.S.,
examining both the patient and the practitioner’s point of view. You’ll learn what the
difference is between a doctor and a nurse practitioner, as well as Sean’s thoughts on
the epidemic of child mental health issues. Listen out for Sean’s advice on staying
healthy and taking care of yourself—and your family.
Subscribe to the Local Talent podcast to find out everything you need to know about
local business, local politics and what’s going on in the Cibolo area.

Timestamps
[0:31] Sean gives Jason his elevator pitch and explains how he opened his family care
clinic
[4:17] How the business grew and got its first address
[6:40] “I can’t do both”: Deciding to leave WellMed
[10:58] What’s the difference between a doctor and a nurse practitioner?
[17:12] Medicine as a business and what Sean would change if he had to do it all over
[21:23] “We’re starting to have an impact”: Why Sean doesn’t run a cash-only practice
[23:12] Sean’s experience of hiring his first employees
[25:12] The biggest mistake that Sean made as a nurse practitioner
[29:49] Why “Be present” is the best advice that Sean’s ever received
[31:05] How we see the child mental health crisis playing out today
[36:52] Lightening Roooooouuuuuuundd!!
[39:19] The brains vs. the mind and Sean’s holistic approach to mental health
[46:45] Sean breaks down how much he gets paid by insurance companies
[50:04] Why you shouldn’t skip your physicals
[54:03] The healthcare issues you need to be aware of in the Cibolo area
[59:53] How to avoid catching the flu and how to top up your vitamin D levels
[1:02:02] Facts vs myths: What’s the biggest myth about being a nurse practitioner?
[1:04:58] Sean’s parting words of wisdom
[1:10:04] Why thinking “You can always close down tomorrow” actually keeps you going

Highlight Quote
“‘Be present’ is the best advice I’ve ever received. Make a practice of being
present. It’s a simple thing, it’s not very easy, especially today. Our attention
span is 10 seconds on the Reel, TikTok, or whatever it is. So often we miss
what’s going on. Especially in my job, I’ve got to be present with each
patient encounter and it’s hard to do sometimes”.
Sean Dittman, Local Business podcast, (29:49)

Links
https://affinityfamilies.com/

https://txlocaltalent.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/txlocaltalent/
https://www.facebook.com/txlocaltalent
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1tzUASELeq89GBm1yeHIkw/featured
https://open.spotify.com/show/7N1EFqBxTHi7oHUAWEqCOE