Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jihan Ansari. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jihan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

Before I talk about starting my own medical practice, let me backtrack to WHY I I decided to break free of the traditional health care system in the first place. I did my residency training in family and community medicine at UCSF Fresno. After residency, I chose to join a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) in Sanger, CA a small farming town outside Fresno, CA. There I gained so much experience treating all ages and complex diseases. I was serving the under- and uninsured population, something I always had a passion for. However, I was also practicing medicine in a fast-paced environment that offered very little time to get to know my patients. I wanted more – I always dreamed of practicing medicine the way my mom and dad used to practice (They’re both physicians too). I wanted to really know my patients, and for them to trust me and never feel rushed or confused after a visit. That’s when I discovered direct primary care (DPC), an innovative membership-based model that puts the emphasis back on the patient/physician relationship. I was sold on the concept form the day I learned about it. I soon decided to leave my current job and the planning phase started. That’s when I realized I was going to be “my own boss” and have to learn how to also navigate the world of becoming a small business owner while also recruit new patients in a brand new city. My husband and I decided to move our family to South Orange County, and since I was coming from a different area I would have to start from zero patients. The most challenging aspects of “the early days” were feeling a bit alone not really knowing all the steps I’d need to take to start my practice. There was also the fear that, since I was a new doctor in town, I would have trouble recruiting patients and becoming successful – especially since I was introducing a new concept of care to the area that most patients did not even know existed. Growth was slow at first, and there were many days I was left feeling a bit defeated. I relied on free social media marketing through posts and my IG account to recruit my initial patients. I think if I were to do anything differently, it would have been to hire a marketing company earlier, even though it is a bit of an investment I do believe that would have helped the practice grow quicker at the beginning. I urge young doctors to look into their options after residency. Large corporations or hospital systems may not be a good fit for all doctors, and there IS a way to practice medicine that does not involve insurance hoops and hours of paperwork. The upfront work is definitely challenging with a steep learning curve, but in my experience it definitely pays off.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a board-certified family physician and founder of Harbor Direct Primary Care in Laguna Hills, California. I created Harbor DPC because I believe healthcare should be deeply personal, refreshingly accessible, and rooted in real relationships — not insurance billing codes.

My journey into medicine started from a place of curiosity and compassion. I’ve always been drawn to people’s stories — how health weaves into every part of life. But after years of practicing in the traditional system, I found myself frustrated. I was spending more time staring at a computer than truly connecting with patients. I knew there had to be a better way — and that’s what led me to Direct Primary Care (DPC).

At Harbor DPC, we offer membership-based primary care that removes the red tape and brings back the heart of medicine. Our members get unlimited visits, same or next-day appointments, direct access to me via text or phone, and full transparency with pricing — all for one affordable monthly fee. No copays, no surprise bills, and no rushed 7-minute visits.

We care for patients of all ages and focus on everything from preventative care to chronic disease management, mental health, and even minor procedures. What sets us apart is how deeply we know our patients — I’m not just your doctor for one moment, I’m your doctor over time, through life’s changes.

One of the things I’m most proud of is creating a practice where patients feel safe, seen, and genuinely cared for. My husband, Dr. Pedram Ansari — a wise and compassionate internal medicine physician — recently joined the practice, and together we’re building something really special for our community.

For anyone out there who’s tired of feeling like a number in the healthcare system — I want you to know there is another way. Whether you’re a busy parent, a small business owner, or just someone who wants a doctor who actually listens — we’re here for you.

At the end of the day, Harbor DPC is about restoring trust, time, and humanity to healthcare. And I’m honored to do this work.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Medical school and residency don’t teach you about the business side of medicine. I think one big discouraging factor for doctors who want to start their own practice is all the “business stuff” that comes along with it. It’s extremely intimidating and can seem daunting. When I started Harbor DPC, I jumped back on social media after being off for 3 years. I created a business account and just started to document my journey and get the word out about DPC. It was super effective and free! I also utilized Facebook and the local community groups to offer my services to locals in need of a new physician. Soon enough, my own patients started plugging me in those same Facebook groups, so the growth has been organic and. mostly word-of-mouth.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Patients want to feel heard, and also want to know their doctor is human too. I think having a solid knowledge of medicine is a necessary component to practicing, but I also feel like your personality is what really draws patients to your practice. I try to be relatable to patients, and also make sure I know from day 1 what their health preferences are. Some patients want medication whenever possible and others would do anything to avoid taking a pill. I recently became double board-certified in lifestyle medicine so I could provide more lifestyle-based options to patients seeking other routes of treatment. Listening to your community and the needs of your patients goes a long way!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://harbordpc.com
• Instagram: @drjihanmd
• Facebook: harbor direct primary care
• Linkedin: Jihan Ansari MD
• Twitter: @harbordpc
• Other: TikTok: @drjihanmd

Image Credits

Laura Perron Photography (for the professional photos)