From Scrubs to Strategy: Redefining Success in Telemedicine and Beyond - Laura Purdy, MD MBA

What if the practice of medicine is actually holding you back from building the healthcare company you envision?

Dr. Anna Chacon welcomes Dr. Laura Purdy, MD MBA, a family medicine physician turned healthcare entrepreneur and CEO who has become one of the most visible voices in telemedicine. From her roots in rural southern Kentucky to building a fast-growth digital health startup while raising five children, Dr. Purdy shares her unconventional journey from Army hospitalist to business leader. Why did she choose telemedicine over traditional practice? What drives someone to publicly challenge state medical boards and call out archaic regulatory systems? Dr. Purdy reveals how she transformed frustration with broken healthcare systems into a thriving nationwide virtual business—and why she believes the practice of medicine is holding her back from her true calling as a founder and CEO.

This episode explores the realities of physician entrepreneurship, the complexities of managing 30+ state medical licenses, and the strategic decision-making required to build a scalable healthcare business. Dr. Purdy discusses the importance of delegation and letting go—from in-person practice to luxury status symbols—while maintaining clarity about her ultimate vision. She offers candid insights on dating as a physician (she's engaged to a pediatric neurosurgeon), the value of an MBA for doctors interested in healthcare business, and why she plans to retire from clinical practice within five years. What's the difference between being educated in business versus actually running one? How do you protect yourself in a regulatory environment that "does not care about you"? Dr. Purdy holds nothing back in this powerful conversation about autonomy, impact, and designing life on your own terms.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) From rural Kentucky to telemedicine CEO: Dr. Purdy's unconventional journey
• (08:17) Balancing relationships, family, and entrepreneurship without guilt
• (14:08) Anti-role models and building toward your future vision
• (22:16) The truth about multi-state licensing and regulatory risk
• (26:30) Retiring from clinical practice to build legacy and impact
• Share with a dermatology pro you know, like and subscribe to hear all of our future episodes!

About the show: Welcome to Skin Deep, a podcast designed for dermatology professionals. Host Dr. Anna Chacon, a distinguished dermatologist and author, shares her unique experiences and offers valuable insights on the future of dermatology, including telemedicine and teledermatology in reaching underserved communities. Dr. Chacon provides actionable recommendations for dermatology practices, emphasizing compassion, patient education, and staying current with advancements in the field.

About the host: Dr. Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Indigenous Dermatology, specializes in treating patients in remote and rural communities. As the first dermatologist serving Alaska's Bush region, she travels by bush plane to reach isolated communities. Dr. Chacon holds medical licenses in all 50 states, DC, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing both in-person and teledermatology services.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Dr. Laura Purdy on Becoming More Public in Telehealth
• (00:06:52) - How to Prioritize Your Life
• (00:07:32) - How to Marry a Fellow Physician
• (00:13:35) - Role models in the workplace
• (00:17:56) - The Secret Life of Luxury Cars
• (00:21:34) - How to Get Out of Trouble With Your Medical Board
• (00:25:55) - When will a dermatologist retire?
• (00:26:31) - Why You Should Retire From Practice of Medicine