Concierge Medicine Reviews: Barbara's PartnerMD Story

For years, Barbara Waters never questioned her primary care experience.

She wasn't looking for a different doctor or a different approach to healthcare.

That changed when her husband became seriously ill.

After leaving the emergency room, they were told to follow up with their primary care physician immediately. Barbara called the office, expecting to be seen quickly.

Instead, she was told the first available appointment was three weeks away.

"That's something we couldn't wait for," Barbara recalls.

In one phone call, she realized that having a primary care physician wasn't the same as having access to one when it mattered most.

Searching for a Different Kind of Care

Barbara had been aware of PartnerMD for some time and was familiar with the idea of concierge medicine, but she had never seriously considered making a change.

"My husband was needing care, and I needed communication with a physician's office," she says. "PartnerMD seemed to fit the bill."

Her priorities had shifted.

She wanted to know she could schedule an appointment when she needed one. She wanted to be able to reach her physician and receive timely responses. Most of all, she wanted confidence that someone would be there when her family needed care.

Those concerns are becoming increasingly common. Many patients today experience long waits for appointments, rushed office visits, and difficulty communicating with their healthcare team. When health concerns arise unexpectedly, those challenges can leave patients feeling frustrated and unsupported.

A New Perspective on Primary Care

Barbara's first visit with Dr. Jana Morse at PartnerMD exceeded her expectations.

"I was so surprised at my first visit at how thorough they were," she says. "Right down to eye exams, EKG, and everything for a physical. I had never had anything like that done."

Like many patients, Barbara was accustomed to appointments that focused on treating the immediate problem.

"I'd always just been seen for what was wrong and then sent home," she explains.

PartnerMD's approach felt different.

Rather than waiting for illness to appear, comprehensive annual physicals emphasize prevention, early detection, and a deeper understanding of each patient's overall health. The goal is not simply to address today's symptoms but to identify potential concerns early and help patients stay healthier over the long term.

For Barbara, it completely changed what she expected from primary care.

Why More Time Makes a Difference

One of the biggest differences Barbara noticed wasn't a test or a procedure.

It was having enough time to have a real conversation.

"The longer appointment times that you receive here at PartnerMD, you don't feel rushed," she says. "You have less tendency to forget something that you meant to say to your doctor."

She believes those longer conversations benefit both patients and physicians.

"It also allows them to ask you more questions and get more details about what your issues are," Barbara says. "I think they're able to come to a conclusion better about what they can do to help you because they have more information."

Having time to discuss symptoms, lifestyle, family history, medications, and long-term health goals allows physicians to see the bigger picture. Those conversations often lead to more personalized recommendations and stronger partnerships between patients and their healthcare team.

"I like the concierge model because it allows me more time with each individual patient to get to know them and understand how treatment fits into their life," says Dr. Jana Morse.

The team at PartnerMD Greenville: Health coach Aaron Benator, Dr. Jana Morse, Dr. William Messer, and Dr. Daniel Brake

Confidence When It Matters Most

Several years into her membership, Barbara experienced another reminder of why access matters.

While on vacation, Barbara became ill and reached out to Dr. Morse for guidance. After hearing back from her physician, Barbara drove to Greenville, where Dr. Morse saw her at the office that same day. 

Experiences like that reinforced Barbara's confidence that she wouldn't have to face unexpected health concerns alone.

Knowing she can reach her physician, receive guidance quickly, and be seen when necessary provides peace of mind that extends well beyond scheduled appointments.

More Than a Doctor-Patient Relationship 

Today, after over seven years as a PartnerMD member, Barbara says the greatest difference isn't a single appointment or one memorable experience.

It's the relationship she has built with Dr. Morse.

Over the years, Dr. Morse has come to understand Barbara's health history, preferences, and goals, allowing care to become increasingly personalized with every visit.

"I like to treat patients the way I would want to be treated," says Dr. Jana Morse. "I get to know them well enough to understand what they expect out of life and what their goals are."

Looking back, what began as a search for better access during a family health crisis became something much more meaningful.

"I've gotten to know Dr. Morse over the years that I've been here," Barbara says. "I feel like I'm talking to a friend when I come in."

For Barbara, that's what exceptional primary care looks like: a physician who knows you personally, has the time to listen, and is there when you need them most.

If Barbara's story resonates with you and you're looking for a physician who has the time to listen and is there when you need them most, complete our form to schedule a conversation with a PartnerMD team member and learn more about membership.