WMI Welcomes Woodbury Direct Primary Care to Valley Creek Professional
Woodbury Direct Primary Care (WDPC) opened their doors at Wellington Management’s Valley Creek Professional building in July 2024. Since then, Dr. Neli Augustson has been working diligently to grow her practice and cement their place in the Woodbury community.
Dr. Augustson received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine, and completed her residency with the University of Michigan. Her specialty is internal medicine.
Dr. Augustson shared more about herself and how she got started in primary care:
“I am originally from Togo, West Africa and I moved to the U.S. right before college. As a new immigrant, I faced several challenges when I tried to seek medical care - language barrier, limited financial resources. Despite those limitations, I was always treated with respect and kindness by my physicians. This experience inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. Initially, I planned to become a cardiologist, but I found myself drawn to the variety that primary care offers. Ultimately, I realized it was the best career path for me.”
Dr. Augustson’s practice differs from big-name clinics in many ways, but the biggest difference is the role insurance plays in healthcare. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a health care model where patients pay a monthly fee to receive unlimited primary care services. The goal of this model is to enhance the doctor-patient relationship by removing the involvement of insurance companies to provide better access to individualized care.
Dr. Augustson broke away from the traditional healthcare model to open her own DPC business:
“I started my Direct Primary Care (DPC) business because I wanted to provide more personalized, patient-centered care without the restrictions of the traditional insurance model. After working in a traditional primary care practice, I saw how rushed visits and administrative burdens affected both doctors and patients. I wanted to create a practice where I could spend more time with each patient and focus on preventive care. I researched the DPC model, connected with other DPC physicians, and took the leap to start my own clinic. We have been open for 6 months now, and continue to grow. One of our goals this year is to work with more business owners who want to offer direct primary care as an employee benefit.”
Dr. Augustson says that she is inspired by the trust her patients place in her, and it is a privilege she never takes for granted. From training in leading academic institutions in Washington and Michigan to serving remote communities in Alaska, Dr. Augustson has honed her skills across diverse environments.
Dr. Augustson observed hardships faced by the patients she served and wanted to work within a model she felt was better-suited to fostering a genuine professional relationship with her patients:
“Over the years, I have witnessed the many challenges patients face when trying to access care, from long wait times to financial barriers and frustrating insurance hurdles. Unfortunately, these obstacles have led some to feel disillusioned with the healthcare system, even to the point of giving up on seeking care altogether. Through my DPC clinic, I have the opportunity to remove many of these administrative burdens, making healthcare more accessible, personal, and patient-centered. Being able to provide high-quality care is something I take great pride in, and it fuels my passion for this work every day.”
Woodbury Direct Primary Care is currently accepting new members and also accepts non-members for a selection of same-day services. Visit their website (https://www.woodburydpc.com/) or give them a call at (651) 315-7419 to learn more about the practice and becoming a member!
We are so pleased to welcome Woodbury Direct Primary Care to the growing Woodbury and Wellington Management community and wish them well in their business endeavors!
Wellington Management invested in the Woodbury area in the late 80s and now owns and manages eight properties in the area. Woodbury’s population is projected to reach 88,000 by 2040 and is expected to continue attracting new residents for years to come. We are privileged to provide locations for business to thrive and become a part of this ever-changing community. With notable nearby tenants such as Yum! Kitchen & Bakery, Erik’s Bike Shop, Patina, Von Hanson’s Meats, Horner Family Eye Care, Schmidt Chiropractic Clinic, and Dr. Marc Montgomery Dental Care, Woodbury has it all.
If you’re looking for leasing opportunities in Woodbury, check out the following:
