We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sanjeet Baidwan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sanjeet, 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?

I was never going to be the 8 minute doctor flitting from patient to patient room to room without knowing the person on a more personal level. I decided to start my own practice because I wanted to be the kind of doctor I would want for myself, my family, and my friends—someone who truly knows their patients, not just their medical histories, but their lives, their joys, and their challenges. I wanted to create a space where I could spend more time with each patient, build deeper connections, and celebrate milestones with them, whether it was welcoming a new pet, landing a new job, or traveling to a new country for the first time. That level of personal connection is what drew me to medicine in the first place, and I felt it was getting lost in our current healthcare system.

The early days were tough and I iterated and iterated before I found my current model. I.M. Well Medical started as a house call practice in Brooklyn and Manhattan in 2020. I decided to open a brick and mortar in Manhattan in 2022 From there, it was a matter of finding the right location, navigating the legal and regulatory requirements, and building the infrastructure—everything from electronic health records to establishing the pLLC to order supplies like syringes and gloves and finding the right staff. One of the biggest challenges was dealing with the bureaucracy of the healthcare system, especially when it came to insurance. I initially tried to take insurance, believing it would make care more accessible, but the reality was overwhelming. The administrative burden and low reimbursements were so crushing that I nearly had to close my doors. It was a harrowing process that took time and energy away from patient care.

Another challenge was getting the word out about my practice and communicating my ethos on a shoestring budget. Marketing as a solo practitioner is tough, especially when you’re trying to differentiate yourself in a crowded field. I had to be creative—leveraging social media, word of mouth, and community events to build relationships and trust.

If I could go back, I would have never tried to take insurance. The process was draining and ultimately detracted from the kind of care I wanted to provide. I’m a better doctor now that I’m not spending most of my day fighting with insurance companies. I can focus on my patients and practice medicine the way I believe it should be practiced.

For anyone considering starting their own practice, my advice is: absolutely go for it, but be strategic. The traditional model isn’t the only way—think outside the box. With telehealth, shared workspaces, and even house calls, there are so many innovative ways to deliver care today. Be creative and don’t be afraid to try something new. But also, don’t quit your day job right away. If you can, maintain multiple streams of income—whether it’s per diem work or locums—to help weather the inevitable ups and downs in the early months. It’s a challenging journey, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to build something that truly reflects your values and vision for patient care.

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 am an “old school” physician in the best sense of the term. My patients have direct access to me—we text, email, and if something urgent comes up, I can usually see them within 24 to 48 hours. That level of accessibility and responsiveness is rare in today’s healthcare landscape, and it’s something my patients deeply value.

What truly sets me apart is my ability to manage complex, chronic diseases and challenging diagnoses while still providing comprehensive, holistic care. I’m science-forward and evidence-based in everything I do. My patients know that I won’t sugarcoat things or sell them on trendy “root cause” theories or unproven treatments. Instead, I focus on what’s real, what’s proven, and what will genuinely help them achieve their health goals.

I also believe in partnership. I always ask my patients what their goals are so we can work together and stay aligned. My practice is intentionally designed so that patients aren’t shuffled between PAs or NPs or multiple providers and asked to repeat their story over and over. When you come to me, you see me. You get continuity, trust, and a relationship that grows over time.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my comprehensive obesity and weight management program. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s hands-on, holistic, and highly individualized. I incorporate nutrition, personal training, and medications as needed, but I also look at the bigger picture—family history, exercise habits, food environment, stress, mental health, and coexisting conditions like prediabetes, diabetes, hypertension, PCOS, or thyroid disorders, etc. My goal is to create a highly specialized transformation for each patient that goes far beyond just a number on the scale.

Ultimately, I want people to know that my work is about building real relationships and delivering care that is both deeply personal and rigorously evidence-based. My brand is about trust, transparency, and a commitment to helping patients achieve their best health in a way that fits their lives—not just their lab results.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your firm or practice?

The initial capital came from mine and my husband’s savings and also my keeping a few locums jobs. I still keep some locums options just in case I need to moonlight a day or two in order to help pay for expenses.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Consistency and authenticity! My annual exams always ask each patient what their goals are and what their concerns are. I always have a follow up telehealth to review labs even if they are normal. When I stopped taking insurance – I was very transparent with patients on why. I try to be authentic with my patients – that I’m also just a human being with concerns and challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.imwellmedical.com
• Instagram: dr.sanjeetbaidwan.md
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjeet-baidwan-0558528a/

Image Credits

Portrait Madame (Alice Prenat) for headshots https://www.portraitmadame.com/