Three EHRs, One Table: A Snapshot of What Makes DPC Special

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As I was leaving the DPC Summit for the day, something caught my eye—and I had to do a double take. You know the moment: like a cartoon character rubbing their eyes, trying to make sure they’re not imagining things.

There, at a quiet table off to the side, sat the CEOs of three different DPC-oriented EHRs. Not just in the same room—but together. Talking. Relaxed. Fully present.

I don’t know what they were discussing. It could’ve been software, the state of primary care, or something entirely unrelated. Honestly, I don’t care what they were talking about—I was struck by the fact that they were casually talking at all.

In a world where so many industries lean toward silos, separation, and competition, this kind of gathering felt quietly radical. These weren’t just professionals who happened to cross paths—they’re each responsible for building tools that many of us use every day to power our practices. And there they were: connecting, sharing space, just being in conversation.

That’s what makes Direct Primary Care different.

We’re not just building practices—we’re building a movement grounded in relationships. And that extends beyond the doctor-patient connection. It includes everyone: physicians, developers, clinic staff, community partners. That’s the whole vibe (Gen X translation: the “essence,” the “feel,” the “whole scene”) of the DPC Summit.

Whether we use different systems or approaches, there’s a shared mission underneath it all—to restore medicine to its roots, break down barriers between patients and their primary care physicians, and deliver care that is personal, thoughtful, and excellent.

Watching those EHR CEOs sit side by side felt like a small, quiet affirmation that we’re on the right path. A reminder that even behind the technology, it’s people—and shared values—that hold this community together.

No agenda. No performance. Just mutual respect, and a shared seat at the table.

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About Angela Andrews, MD

Dr. Angela Andrews is a board-certified Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician, health coach, wife, mom, and lifelong athlete. When not spending time with her family or caring for her patients, she is training for her next competition. Dr. Andrews graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Biomedical Engineering and worked at General Electric Healthcare Wisconsin for nearly five years before returning to her dream of becoming a doctor. She received her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She completed her Med-Peds residency at the Detroit Medical Center & Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, MI. After 8 years in the system, Dr. Andrews opened Seeds of Health Direct Primary Care in Grand Rapids, MI in February 2014. Her personal journey with fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine training was a key factor in her decision. She spent years trying to figure out how to incorporate this experience into a “standard” clinical practice, before finding a natural fit within Direct Primary Care. Dr. Andrews is passionate about helping patients address the root cause of their mental and physical conditions and guiding them to cultivate healthy habits around exercise, good nutrition, and mental well-being. Dr. Andrews lives in Byron Center, Michigan, with her husband and exercise companion, Joseph VanEss, their son, Myles, and her two bonus children, Griffen and Quinne. She engages in various fitness activities (CrossFit, running, swimming, yoga, and bodybuilding) and enjoys gardening, tackling projects around the house, and building things out of wood.