A Real DPC Hero: Dr. Courtney Barrett at True Insight Direct Care in Wake Forest, NC

The Wake Weekly recently feature an article about True Insight Direct Care which will soon be opening in Wake Forest, North Carolina. The new venture is spearheaded by a local couple, Dr. Courtney Barrett and her husband, Jeff. Right now, the Barretts have filed the necessary paperwork with the state to open the facility, and are awaiting confirmation for final approval. In the meantime, they’ve begun working with local realtors to find a suitable location in Wake Forest or, as a second option, in Wakefield.

Her personal journey is amazing:

I don’t think of myself as the average physician. I’m far from typical. While I grew up in a middle-class home, was the first to attend college, and earned and paid my way through medical school, these reasons aren’t the most fundamental. 

The real reason? I’m a patient, too. 

Indeed, it started with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes at age 9. I wore one of the first insulin pumps made and juggled adversity through high school and college. 

I struggled to manage my diabetes. Over almost 30+ years, I developed neuropathy, retinopathy, poor wound healing, and renal disease. My kidneys held strong– until they didn’t. When I started dialysis, I had to stop practicing medicine– only a handful of years into my career. 

Aside from the diabetes and its complications, I dealt with high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Moreover, with autoimmunity in my genes, I was soon battling multiple sclerosis which presented similar to a stroke. 

I also can’t forget about the “simple” conditions either! The infertility, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, recurrent GI issues, and weight struggles. I used to joke with friends and family that I felt like “an 80-year old in a 30-year old body!” It’s no surprise I also struggled with anxiety!

Although I’ve faced my own health issues, I’ve also shared experiences with family and friends through struggles with mental health, substance use, cancers, and palliative and hospice care. I’ve grieved the loss of people close to me. 

I was able to return to my career in medicine after recovering from a dual pancreas-kidney transplant in March 2023.

Dr. Barrett’s Courtney’s own experiences as both a doctor and a patient motivated her to seek an alternative to the insurance-driven structure of most health care centers. Barrett herself has navigated many complicated health issues both in her youth and into adulthood. She believes her experience on both sides of the stethoscope makes her uniquely capable at providing valuable expertise at a reasonable price.

Not only do I have the experience and the training to be a physician, but I really have an insight into what it is to be a patient. So those experiences all mingle together to help me provide a really great quality of care. I truly understand the ins and outs of living with chronic conditions, fighting the insurance battles, and advocating for care in a broken healthcare system. 

I want to do my part to help others achieve their best health. I’ve experienced a plethora that gives me unique insight and perspective. Certainly, I may not have all the answers, nor will I ever claim to, but I commit myself to seeking out answers for you. My goal is to meet you where you’re at and help you optimize your health and feel your best– all with a genuinely compassionate, collaborative partnership.

Courtney Barrett is a wife and mother, a patient herself, and a passionate physician!! Her business partner is her husband, Jeff, who has always been a source of unwavering support and encouragement. They have one son,  Landon, who joined the family in 2017. They are animal lovers throughout—  home to six rescued dogs, two rescued cats, and a hamster named Waffles!

Their family is long rooted in service to others – Jeff was working as a Volunteer firefighter and Courtney was a Paramedic when they first met. He has worked in emergency telecommunications for over twelve years during her training and early years as a physician. Through their combined experiences, Dr. Barrett and Jeff share a passion for bringing healthcare back to its roots: to truly caring for others, to treating community like family, and to helping others achieve healthier, more fulfilled lives.

Learn more about Dr. Barrett’s personal health story to learn about why True Insight Direct Care truly is a perfect name for the practice. It is inspirational!