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

Alright, Gwenn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Over the course of your career, have you seen or experienced your field completely flip-flop or change course on something?

Patients are more educated about their health today and are seeking more holistic healthcare. And they are seeking Nurse practitioner-owned clinics because they are tired of providers not listening to them. Nurse Practitioners are Nurses first so we treat from the caring model, we listen and coordinate a plan of care with the patient together. When an NP own their own practice they can cater to this patient population and provide care that is mutually agreed upon.

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 have always wanted to be a nurse. It’s all I ever dreamed of. Life got in the way and I finally finished Nursing school in 2009. I earned an associate’s degree from my local community college. From there I just didn’t stop with my education. I went on to get my bachelor’s in Nursing through The University of Notre Dame of Baltimore. After that, I attended Shenandoah University obtaining my Master in Science specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner, and then finally received my Doctorate of Nursing Practice from them as well. So, my credentials are DNP-BC, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Board Certified. I smile big when I say that or write it down.

After graduating as a Nurse Practitioner I worked in various settings, including primary care, assisted living, acute care, and long-term care. I spent time perfecting my craft and learning from others. During the pandemic, the way we practice healthcare changed. I did everything I could not to get COVID, but finally, in January of 2022, I found myself sitting at home positive for COVID, using my vacation time. I thought you have got to be kidding me. This is not how I want to practice healthcare. In the state of MD Nurse Practitioners have full practice authority (FPA) meaning we don’t need physician guidance to practice.

Therefore, I was able to open my adult primary care practice, Leatherman Healthcare, LLC in July of 2022. This was so successful, I opened a second practice in May of 2023, H&G Elite Wellness, LLC focusing on weight loss and hormone replacement therapy for men. I just recently added a second Nurse Practitioner to assist in my primary care practice.

What sets me apart is that I listen, I’m thorough and I follow through.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I started I just wanted people to like me.

Running a business is about people liking you right? I mean they come to see you because they like you, Right? They leave because they don’t like you, Right? How can you not like me? I am literally pouring my heart, soul, tears, and life savings into this work – FOR YOU?

Around year two I was struggling with the reality of patients leaving me, why? And, what did that say about me and what does that mean for the future of my business?

It took me doing some internal personal work to realize there wasn’t a good answer.

At the end of the day, I know I did right by them. And, I just have to let it go.

People leave businesses for various reasons and it’s ok to let me go and find what they need. Allowing an opening for someone else to come in the door.

Any advice for managing a team?

Well, my team currently consists of family, which brings its challenges. My sister and I started this business from scratch. She is eighteen years younger than me and we work well. We added my daughter shortly after, which has really added a good mix of knowledge and persona. My sister and daughter are only 16 months apart so they grew up together.

There are times when we sing and dance so we don’t cry and scream.
We play loud music from various genres on Alexa.
I let them wear whatever they want to work.
I don’t micromanage them.
I give them plenty of time off because they work so hard and what we do is so mentally heavy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.leathermanhealthcare.com
• Instagram: @leathermanhealthcare
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leathermanhealthcare
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/drgwennleatherman
• Other: My second business, https://www.handgelitewellness.com/