Meet the Candidates

I opened Priority Health Direct Primary Care in Bentonville, Arkansas, in January 2020 as a solo physician practice, transitioning from an employed physician position. I opened my doors just weeks before the pandemic began, and for the first year, I worked completely on my own , so every phone call, visit, and lab draw was done by me. In my second year, I added one staff member, and as my clinic evolved, I transitioned to using a virtual medical assistant. My clinic has grown slowly and organically, almost entirely by word of mouth, which has allowed me to maintain close relationships with my patients and stay true to the DPC model’s core values of accessibility, transparency, and personalized care.

Within six months of opening, the practice was financially sustainable, proof that the DPC model works when grounded in service, efficiency, and genuine patient connection. I enjoy performing procedures in my clinic, as they allow me to provide comprehensive, hands-on care that strengthens my patient-doctor relationships while keeping healthcare affordable and local.

As a Member-at-Large for the DPCA Board, my priorities would include:

1. Education: Positioning the DPCA as the premier educational resource for physicians transitioning to or launching DPC practices, offering robust, practical, and easily accessible content.
2. Member Value: Expanding discounts, partnerships, and other tangible benefits that make DPCA membership a clear advantage for practicing DPC physicians.
3. Growth and Advocacy: Growing membership through outreach, mentorship, and collaboration while ensuring that every independent physician feels supported and heard within this movement.

On an almost evangelical level, I want more physicians to discover the professional freedom and joy
that DPC offers, and I would be honored to contribute to the continued success of the DPCA. 

Founder & CEO, Byja Clinic – Baton Rouge, LA
Position Sought: Board of Directors, Direct Primary Care Alliance

As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Byja Clinic, Louisiana’s first Black-owned direct primary care (DPC) practice, I am committed to advancing a model of care that is personal, affordable, and accessible for all. My goal is to help physicians rediscover the joy of medicine while empowering patients to reclaim ownership of their health.

My DPC journey began after years of practicing within systems that too often prioritized billing over relationships. I founded Byja Clinic to create a space where care could once again be timely, comprehensive, culturally sensitive, and judgment-free—qualities I believe are essential to the DPC movement.

Beyond my clinical work, I serve as the author of Byja Blueprint: An Introductory Guide to Direct Primary Care for Doctors, Patients, and Businesses, a resource designed to educate physicians, patients, and employers about the value and sustainability of the DPC model. I am also the Founder and President of Byja Charitable Alliance, a nonprofit organization which extends DPC principles of access and equity into community health and advances public health in vulnerable communities.

If elected, I aim to amplify the DPCA’s mission by focusing on education, equity, and empowerment—helping DPC physicians strengthen their practices, reach underserved populations, and work to lead movements that transform primary care delivery.

As I often say: “Without a shadow of a doubt, I will change the world. My only question is, will you help me or watch me?”

Aspire Health – DPC
Plantation, FloridaCandidate for Board Member – Direct Primary Care Alliance

As a board-certified Family Physician and founder of Aspire Health – DPC in Plantation, Florida, I have experienced firsthand the freedom and fulfillment the Direct Primary Care model brings to both physicians and patients. Over the past eight years, Aspire Health – DPC has evolved into a thriving membership-based practice that delivers personalized, integrative care for individuals and families—from newborns to adults—while emphasizing prevention, lifestyle optimization, and long-term relationships.

My journey into DPC was driven by the desire to restore meaning in medicine and provide care unbound by insurance constraints. Since then, I have mentored physicians launching their own practices, consulted on integrating Functional Medicine and wellness programs into DPC models, and advocated for physician autonomy through education and collaboration.

If elected to the Board of the Direct Primary Care Alliance, my priorities will focus on three key areas:

Expanding Membership – engaging a broader range of clinicians at all stages of practice.

Enhancing Mentorship Opportunities – creating structured guidance and peer support for those entering or evolving within DPC.

Empowering Practice Niches – helping members identify their unique strengths and passions that fuel sustainable growth. 

Dr. Tu is completing her third year of Family Medicine Residency at Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas. She grew up in Texas, the children of Vietnamese immigrants. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California before returning to Texas to attend medical school at UT Southwestern and earning an MBA from UT Dallas. Since starting residency, she has been an active resident member of the DPCA, volunteering to support the RAMs committee and its efforts to increase engagement with residents and medical students. She had the privilege of being the Resident Representative during the last term, and looks forward to continuing our momentum in the year to come.