Independent primary care isn’t a relic of the past — it’s becoming the future of American medicine.
In this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with two leaders helping drive that shift: Dr. Umar Bowers, an internist who left a major health system to build the practice he always envisioned, and Dan Bowles, General Manager of Practice Health at Aledade , the physician-led company enabling thousands of doctors to stay independent, financially stable, and clinically autonomous.
Umar shares his personal journey from rising frustration inside a large employed medical group to opening Dawson Medical Group with the support of Aledade. He explains what independence really means, why he had zero fear stepping out of the system, and how value-based care became the engine that allowed his practice to thrive. You can read more of his story in Aledade’s physician success profile or connect with him directly on LinkedIn.
Dan offers a rare inside look at why so many doctors feel trapped in employment, what’s driving the national shift back toward physician-led care, and how Aledade’s data, contracting expertise, and ready-made community of independent clinicians help doctors cross the bridge to autonomy instead of trying to swim it alone.
This isn’t another story about burnout or bureaucracy, it’s a roadmap for physicians who want their careers, their schedules, and their practices back. Whether you’re considering independent practice or simply want to understand the movement reshaping primary care, this episode shows how doctors are taking back control of the profession, one practice at a time.
What You’ll Learn
- Why independent primary care is resurging and how value-based care is creating new financial stability for small practices.
- How Dr. Umar Bowers built his own practice from scratch and why he had zero fear leaving a major health system.
- What Aledade’s turnkey model actually provides, from startup capital and contracting support to data, workflows, and a nationwide physician community.
- How doctors can reclaim autonomy, flexibility, and clinical decision-making power without sacrificing income, infrastructure, or patient care.
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