Teresa Mahaffey, M.D.’s clinic, Blessed Minds, is still going even after it was destroyed by a tornado. Dr. Mahaffey is a friend of mine but through a random conversation with her, I just heard of this. Her clinic website is blessedminds.org and is located in Pace, Florida, which is in the Pensacola area.
From Dr. Mahaffey to me (this conversation revolved around another topic and then she dropped the tornado news):
My office was hit and destroyed by a tornado. I have a DPC peds practice in the Pensacola area. I am currently seeing patients in a church nursery, thanks to the generosity of the pastor (who has a son with autism). I was able to buy a 1930’s house that needs renovating. The price was reasonable and it came with some land. Through the grace of God it was available. All the contractors are struggling to keep up with the demand so my little house will have to wait. This Friday I’ll head to Mobile to buy a vintage airstream to use as an office. All I can say is I’m so glad I am a DPC doc!!! My patients are adjusting and I have no insurance to deal with!
Imagine finally getting your DPC office going and having to deal with this?
About Dr. Mahaffey:
I am blessed by a career I love. My journey to pediatrics began at the University of Notre Dame as an undergraduate and then the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. I completed my pediatric internship, residency and chief residency at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland , California, where I developed a love for children with complex medical and psychiatric disorders. After a 2 year stint on Guam, we settled in Pensacola, where I started a pediatric private practice. After 15 years, amidst a climate not favorable to solo practice, I became an employed physician. For myriad reasons, my joy in my calling faded. My patients do not fit neatly into ten and fifteen minute slots. My decision to start a Direct Primary Care Pediatric Clinic was an easy one. I can see my patients on my terms, free of insurance regulations and constraints and administrative busy work.
I cannot tell you how sad I feel for Dr. Mahaffey. I did ask what we and the DPC community can do for her and hopefully, she will tell us.
UPDATE: We will be starting a Go Fund Me page to help her out. More to come.
UPDATE AGAIN: Your GoFundMe link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-teresa-mahaffey-fix-tornado-damaged-clinic