DPC Physician Retreat 2026
The DPC Physician Retreat will help advance one's practice.
Loews Ventana Canyon
7000 North Resort DriveTucson, AZ 85750-1341
United States
Your Invitation
The Direct Primary Care Alliance invites you to join us for the 2026 (2nd Annual) DPC Physician Retreat designed specifically for experienced Direct Primary Care physician owners who have moved beyond the start-up phase and are focused on refining and advancing their practice and vision. Unlike events tailored for new DPC physicians, this retreat provides a space where established DPC doctors can connect with peers, exchange high-level strategies, and explore the next stage of practice growth, leadership and succession planning. Registration is offered exclusively to DPCA member physicians.
This retreat is more than just a conference—it’s an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day demands of practice and immerse yourself in a setting that fosters growth, clarity, and connection. Whether you’re looking to refine your practice operations, explore legacy and succession planning, or simply recharge in a supportive community, the Executive Retreat offers the tools, strategies, and inspiration to take your practice to the next level. Through targeted workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and guided activities, you’ll identify the challenges holding you back and explore practical solutions to customize your "next chapter" professional and personal vision.
Above all, the DPC Physician Retreat is about connection. You’ll share experiences, build lasting relationships, have the opportunity to engage in recreation and wellness activities with peers, and join a community that champions the DPC movement and the physicians leading it.
Last year's inaugural retreat in Costa Rica was inspiring, and we anticipate a high level of interest again this year. Registration will be limited to approximately 30 DPCA physician practice owners in order to ensure the intimate environment necessary to foster deeper conversations and intensive exploration of topics. We look forward to welcoming you to this transformative experience—where professional growth and personal renewal come together in an unforgettable setting.
See you there!
Amanda Preimesberger, MD
DPC Physician Retreat Committee Chair
rootsMD Direct Care Family Medicine, Verona, WI
About
Join us for a DPCA signature annual gathering – a DPC Physician Retreat designed exclusively for DPCA members-only Direct Primary Care physicians. Set in a beautiful resort destination, the 2026 Advanced Practice Retreat offers a unique opportunity to step away from the day-to-day demands of practice and immerse yourself in a supportive, energizing environment focused on growth, connection, and renewal.
At this retreat, you’ll:
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Learn from experts and peers – Dive into interactive workshops and sessions on financial management, tax strategies, leadership development, time management, hiring and retention, and building a balanced life as a DPC physician.
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Gain practical tools and strategies – Walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your practice operations, expand your patient panel, improve profitability, and better manage your time and resources.
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Focus on personal and professional renewal – Whether it’s through lifestyle medicine discussions, guided vision and goal-setting exercises, or optional outdoor activities and social events, you’ll leave recharged and inspired.
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Connect with like-minded physicians – Build lasting relationships with colleagues who share your passion for advancing the DPC model, and exchange ideas and experiences in a collaborative atmosphere.
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Experience the perfect balance of work and relaxation – Beyond the sessions, enjoy optional activities such as group dinners, outdoor excursions, and networking opportunities in a breathtaking resort setting.
The DPC Physician Retreat is more than a conference – it’s a chance to step back, reflect, and reignite your passion for medicine while gaining the clarity and confidence to move your practice forward. Whether you are just starting your DPC journey or looking to take your established clinic to the next level, the retreat will equip you with the vision, tools, and community support to make it happen.
Program at a Glance
Tentative
Thursday, February 5, 2026
7:00 am
Registration Opens & Breakfast
7:45 am
Welcome
8:00 am
Practice Valuation
Ryan Gordon, AAMS
9:00 am
Best Kept Secrets for Retirement Planning
Ryan Gordon, AAMS
Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice owners face unique challenges when building wealth for retirement. Traditional 401(k) plans often fall short of meeting their savings potential. This session explores advanced strategies—including cash balance plans, non-qualified deferred compensation, and life insurance retirement plans—that can help practice owners reduce taxes, accelerate savings, and create sustainable wealth. Attendees will learn how to integrate these tools into their financial plan and leave with actionable steps to maximize their retirement strategy.
Key Objectives/Takeaways:
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- Understand the mechanics and benefits of cash balance plans for DPC practices.
- Explore tax-efficient strategies beyond qualified plans, including LIRPs and deferred compensation.
- Learn how to structure retirement savings to optimize tax diversification and long-term growth.
9:45 am
Break
10:00 am
Succession Planning for DPC Physicians
Shaunna L. Sanders, Esq
12:00 pm
Discussion Topics
- Practice Valuation
- Retirement Planning
- Succession Planning
12:45 pm
Lunch
2:45 pm to 10:30 pm
Optional Activity (pre-registration required)
Kitt Peak National Observatory/Dark Sky Observing Program
Friday, February 6, 2026
7:00 am
Breakfast
7:45 am
Finding The Exit From The DPC Trail: What To Do, What Not To Do
Thomas Rhyne White, MD
In 2013, I resigned from my employed position with a local hospital system and left the practice I had started in my hometown in 1988. After a year of contemplation, research, and planning, I opened my direct primary care practice - Hometown Direct Care - in 2015. Like most DPC physicians (I assume), I devoted much time and energy to launching and growing and fine-tuning my practice. Even tho I opened my DPC practice at age 60, I spent little to no time thinking about the future, and in particular, how I might retire one day, and what might become of my practice when that happens. I was simply happy and grateful to be doing what I was doing, and feeling like a real physician again. When 2 young physicians finishing their residency, one in 2017 and another in 2021, approached me about joining my practice, some clarity about that future finally began to emerge. Both young physicians have now left the practice, each for different reasons. So now as I approach 72 in April of 2026, I am exploring a variety of options. I would like to share my story in hope that it will benefit other DPC physicians, as they too begin to gaze into their futures.
Key Objectives/Takeaways:
- Starting your DPC practice may be easier than exiting it.
- Recruiting and retaining physicians to an established DPC has its positives, negatives, challenges and options.
- Leaving our DPC practices may be something we have thought too little about, and talked too little about.
8:45 am
Mid-life Crisis and Best Professional Decision: Buy a DPC Practice; How I Did it and How You Might Sell Yours
Daniel J. Swartz, MD
Although direct primary care (DPC) is portrayed as relatively "new" by most of the American healthcare landscape, it's now been around for well over a decade. Whether a need to move to a different part of the country for family or health reasons, retirement, or some other reason, increasingly DPC physicans are wondering about how to value and sell their practice (without selling out to private equity/venture capital). This sprint will discuss the details of a DPC practice sale from one physician to another. This template may be useful for other DPC physicians in their succession planning.
Key Objectives/Takeaways:
- How to value your practice.
- What is "goodwill"?
- Options for selling.
9:45 am
Break
10:00 am
Strategic Discussion
- Practice Transition
- Succession Planning
11:00 am
Emotional Intelligence, Identity, and Purpose for Patient Healing and Personal Fulfillment
John Sanders, DO
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is as important—if not more important—than IQ for both physicians and patients in the healthcare journey. In this session, we’ll explore what emotional intelligence truly is and how it can be intentionally cultivated within ourselves, our teams, and our patients. We will discuss the neuroscience of emotional intelligence and neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to change and adapt—and how this relates directly to the evolution of a DPC practice. The neuroplasticity journey in DPC begins at startup and continues to evolve as our practices and professional identities mature. By understanding the science behind mindset flexibility, including the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its “spike” following specific activities and interventions, we can become more emotionally agile, resilient, and creative clinicians.
We’ll also explore the intersection between neuroplasticity and therapeutic modalities such as ketamine-assisted therapy—how these tools, when safely and ethically implemented, can promote growth and emotional intelligence in both doctors and patients. Finally, we will discuss the emotional intelligence pathway as we move through the stages of practice ownership toward eventual transition or exit strategy. Many DPC physicians experience a loss or transformation of identity during these stages. Together, we’ll discuss how to recognize, reframe, and rebuild a sense of purpose through intentional emotional growth and neuroplasticity.
This dialogue-based coaching session is designed to help physicians reconnect to their purpose, enhance their EQ, and create emotionally intelligent environments that support both personal fulfillment and patient healing.
Key Objectives/Takeaways:
- Define emotional intelligence and describe its relevance to both physicians and patients in a DPC setting.
- Explain the neuroscience of neuroplasticity and identify practical ways to enhance it in clinical and personal life.
- Understand the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interventions that support neuroplastic growth, including movement, mindfulness, and ketamine-assisted therapy.
- Apply emotional intelligence and neuroplasticity principles to the stages of DPC practice evolution—from startup to transition—to maintain purpose, identity, and resilience.
12:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm
Optional Activity (pre-registration required)
Saguaro National Park's ONLY Guided e-Bike Tour & Hiking
Saturday, February 7, 2026
7:00 am
Breakfast
7:45 am
10 DBT Techniques to Improve Practice Life
Erin Curtis, MD
Physicians have a finite amount of time and energy to give to patients. Patients with certain psychiatric problems and personality structures can take up a lot of time in primary care without proportional benefit. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), initially developed for treatment of chronic suicidality and "borderline personality disorder", has demonstrated effectiveness in management of an increasing number of psychiatric conditions.
DBT is unique among psychotherapies because it offers specific supports and behavioral expectations for providers and treatment teams, in addition to the actual patients. Many experienced DBT practitioners begin to consider it a guiding philosophy and a way of life. This presentation will provide an engaging overview of DBT therapy by emphasizing concepts that can be particularly useful for DPC physicians.
Key Objectives/Takeaways:
- Participants will be able to identify appropriate patients for DBT referral and be able to describe the benefits of DBT to a potential patient.
- Participants will be able to identify areas of practice life that benefit from dialectical thinking.
- Participants will be able to describe several examples of DBT skills and how they might introduce these to a patient.
- Participants will be able to identify ways that DBT can help their treatment teams work together more effectively.
- Participants will increase their curiosity about developmental and traumatic origins of challenging patient behaviors.
- Participants will be able to describe the importance of contingency management and effectively communicating limits in working with behaviorally complex patients.
8:45 am
Tax Strategy and Physician Owned Co-ops
Shaunna L. Sanders, Esq
This foundational tax session demystifies how taxes work for DPC owners. Whether operating as a sole proprietorship, partnership, S-corp, or C-corp, attendees will gain insight into what structure fits their goals, best practices for bookkeeping, and how to reduce tax liability legally. We’ll also cover retirement accounts, estimated taxes, and handling personal expenses.
Want to scale your DPC model beyond a single practice? This session explores how to build sustainable, compliant expansion models using Management Services Organizations (MSOs) or physician-owned cooperatives. We’ll dive into structural options, legal implications, and how to attract employers or larger patient bases while preserving autonomy and DPC principles.
9:45 am
Break
10:00 am
Comprehensive Discussion
- Tax Strategy
- Physician Owned Co-ops
- Practice Techniques
11:00 am
Burn it Out - Letting Go to Grow
Adriana Raus, MD
Physicians often carry invisible weight — from the emotional burden of patient care to the relentless pursuit of perfection. Over time, these unspoken pressures accumulate as limiting beliefs, guilt, fear, or exhaustion, quietly constraining our ability to grow and fully thrive. In this guided introspective session, participants will be invited to explore what keeps them stuck: the beliefs, expectations, or habits that no longer serve them. Through reflection, collective sharing, and a symbolic burning ritual, we’ll release these burdens together — creating space for renewed purpose, authenticity, and joy.
Participants will write their reflections anonymously, pool them together, and then draw and read them aloud as a group — releasing each one into the fire. The shared act transforms personal release into collective healing, reminding us that while our struggles are unique, our humanity is shared.
Key Objectives/Takeaways:
- Identify internal barriers and limiting beliefs that inhibit personal or professional growth.
- Acknowledge common emotional patterns such as guilt, perfectionism, and self-neglect in physician life.
- Experience the power of collective release through a symbolic “burning” ritual.
- Leave with a sense of lightness, clarity, and renewed intention for growth.
12:00 pm
Lunch & Retreat Wrap-Up
1:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Optional Activity (pre-registration required)
White Stallion Trail: An Off Road Jeep Tour
The Presenters
Hotel/Retreat Location
The DPC Physician Retreat will be held at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. A special discounted group rate has been arranged for retreat attendees.
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and modern luxury. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be surrounded by stunning desert landscapes, tranquil waterfalls, and breathtaking views of the Tucson valley. The resort’s contemporary Southwestern design complements its serene desert setting, creating an inspiring environment that invites both relaxation and reflection.
During your stay, you’ll enjoy world-class amenities designed to help you unwind and recharge. Stroll through scenic nature trails, take part in daily guided hikes, or experience stargazing under Arizona’s famously clear skies. The resort also features two Tom Fazio–designed championship golf courses, a full-service spa, multiple pools, and diverse dining options that highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Whether you’re seeking a quiet escape, a bit of adventure, or simply a beautiful backdrop for connecting with colleagues, Loews Ventana Canyon is the ideal destination.
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
7000 N Resort Dr
Tucson, AZ 85750
Main Phone: (520) 299-2020
Website
Group Rate
- $249 per night (single or double occupancy, Run of House)
- Subject to 12.05% tax
- Resort Fee waived (a $34 per night value) – includes premium Wifi, daily guided hikes, fitness classes, stargazing, tennis access, and more.
Reservation Deadline
- The group rate is available until Friday, January 2, 2026 (5:00 PM local time).
- After this date, rooms are subject to availability at the hotel’s prevailing rates.
Booking Instructions
- Reservations may be made by phone at 1-800-234-5117 (ask for the DPCA Member Retreat room block).
- Or use this online link - CLICK HERE.
- A one-night deposit (room and tax) is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
- Reservations may be canceled without penalty up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
- Cancellations made less than 72 hours before arrival will incur a fee equal to one night’s room and tax.
- Early departures may also result in a one-night penalty unless arrangements are made at check-in.
Parking
- Self-parking is included with your stay.
- Overnight valet parking is available for $25 per day (plus tax), with unlimited in/out privileges.
Check-in/Check-out
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM
- Check-out is 12:00 PM
Registration Options
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Registration Options
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Price |
|---|---|
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DPCA Member
Available October 27, 2025 through January 2, 2026 Best Value – Save more by registering early! Lock in discounted pricing and enjoy peace of mind knowing your retreat experience is secured at the lowest rate. |
$995.00 |
|
DPCA Member
Available January 3 – January 23, 2026 Standard Rate – The steady choice. For those who like a little extra time before committing. Standard pricing applies once the early registration window closes. |
$1,095.00 |
|
DPCA Member
Available January 24 – February 5, 2026 Last Chance – Don’t miss out! Perfect for last-minute decision makers. Secure your spot just before the event — but space is limited and pricing is highest at this stage. |
$1,195.00 |
Product Add-ons
| Add-ons | Price |
|---|---|
| Kitt Peak National Observatory View Product | $135.00 |
| Guided E-Bike Tour & Hiking Tour View Product | $250.00 |
| White Stallion Trail Jeep Tour View Product | $150.00 |
| Guest Registration View Product | $300.00 |
Optional Activities
Thursday, February 5
3:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Kitt Peak National Observatory
Nightly Observing Program
$135 per person (transportation included)
With 23 optical and two radio telescopes, Kitt Peak National Observatory is the largest, most diverse gathering of astronomical instruments in the Northern Hemisphere. We begin our tour with a stop at the Visitor Center, where we will examine the exhibits that describe this national observatory and other interesting topics. We enjoy a light meal and then have a docent-led introduction to astronomy and the night sky. Next, we learn how to identify stars and the constellations. Once we are outdoors, we will explore the night skies and view them with high-powered binoculars. Then we enter one of the domes to view through a telescope and observe the night skies in all its grandeur. Come along and discover your Universe. If you’ve never participated in one of the nighttime Kitt Peak programs before you are in for a very pleasant surprise.
The NOP is our most popular nighttime program and runs nightly year-round. Warm clothes, good closed-toe walking shoes, pants (not shorts) and a jacket are important. In case of inclement weather, we reserve the right to insert an alternate astronomy program presented by Kitt Peak.
Transportation included. Please note times include 1.5 hour transportation time each direction - plan accordingly. Space in limited. Sign up early to guarantee your tickets.
Friday, February 6
Saguaro National Park’s ONLY Guided E-Bike Tour & Hiking Tour
Experience the ultimate electric bike tour of Saguaro National Park! Glide effortlessly through stunning desert landscapes, surrounded by towering saguaro cacti and vibrant Arizona skies. Cover more ground with ease and possibly spot diverse wildlife like roadrunners and gila monsters. Our expert guides share fascinating insights into the park's unique flora, fauna, and history, making this eco-friendly adventure both fun and educational. Perfect for nature lovers and thrill-seekers, this electric bike tour offers an unforgettable way to explore the beauty and serenity of the desert. Book your tour today for an adventure of a lifetime!
$250 per person
Depart resort at 1:00 pm; Return at 7:00 pm
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (limit 18) - e-bike tour &
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Hiking Tour on Tanque Verde Ridge Trail
This scenic hike in Saguaro National Park East begins at Javelina Picnic Area and climbs steadily along Tanque Verde Ridge, offering sweeping desert vistas, giant saguaro forests, and panoramic views of the Rincon Mountains. The route provides a true Sonoran Desert experience, with opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy spectacular sunrise or sunset scenery.
NOTE: Even though e-bikes are fun & easy, not everyone wants to ride in a group setting, (peer pressure), and if it’s been longer than 10+ years since riding a REGULAR bike, not everyone SHOULD ride an ebike. In other words, now may not be the best time to learn to ride an ebike, especially in a group setting.
Saturday, February 7
1:45 pm - 5:30 pm
White Stallion Trail
A Desert Ecology Jeep Tour
$150 per person
Leave the crowds behind and head off-road through the wild terrain of White Stallion Ranch. This two-hour Jeep tour is packed with sweeping views, desert wildlife, and hands-on discovery led by our wrangler guides who will entertain, educate, and immerse you in the vibrant Sonoran Desert ecosystem. Ride in open-air Jeeps and uncover the stories behind the plants, animals, people, and geology that make this desert one of a kind. Whether you’re exploring as a couple, with family, a group of friends, or a full corporate team, this experience offers something for everyone—accessible, engaging, and unforgettable.
This isn’t your typical sightseeing tour—it’s an authentic desert adventure tailored to your interests. Whether you’re drawn to desert wildlife, curious about native cultures, or just excited to hit the trail, our wrangler guides bring it all to life with stories, humor, and hands-on discovery in the heart of the Sonoran Desert.
Jeeps to depart from Loews Ventana Canyon at 2 PM on 2/7/26. Bottled water is included onboard. The event will go on rain or shine. In cases of inclement weather, we recommend arranging alternate transportation to/from the trailhead for guest comfort. Complimentary Jeep transport to the trailhead is available for convenience but is not part of the guided tour. Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress for outdoor conditions.