Concierge Medicine Reviews: Debra’s PartnerMD Story

For more than thirty years, Debra Zawadzki has dedicated her life to helping children thrive as a special education teacher. She is warm, direct, and deeply observant. Yet for years, when it came to her own healthcare, she often felt overlooked. Instead of feeling cared for, she felt rushed and unheard.

When she became a member of PartnerMD Midlothian and began working with her physician, Dr. Caitlin Dillon, everything changed.

“This practice has been a godsend. It really has,” Debra said. “It has made a huge difference in my life.”

If you have been reading concierge medicine reviews and wondering what the experience is really like, Debra’s story offers an honest look at the difference.

Struggling to Find Care That Felt Personal

Before joining PartnerMD, Debra’s experience with traditional primary care had grown increasingly frustrating. She had spent 17 years with one practice, but during that time she saw five different primary care physicians. The constant turnover made it hard to feel known or understood.

“My challenge at the previous practices was starting to feel like a number and not a person,” she said. “I kept feeling horrible and hearing, 'But your labs are all normal.'”

She often could not get a timely appointment. When she was sick, urgent care became her only reliable option. She could sense how pressured and hurried the environment was, and it left her without the time or attention she needed.

“Medicine had become almost factory-like,” she said.

Meeting Dr. Dillon

Debra found something different when she met Dr. Dillon at another practice. For the first time in many years, she felt truly heard.

“She would spend a phenomenal amount of time with me,” Debra said. “But the system made it hard to get the kind of care she wanted to give.”

When she learned that Dr. Dillon was moving to PartnerMD, a concierge primary care practice, she worried she might lose the physician who finally took the time to listen.

“I am a teacher,” she said. “I never thought something like this would fit into my budget.”

Still, she called the Midlothian office to learn more. What she heard surprised her. The membership was clear and predictable, something she could plan for.

“Once I understood how the fee could be budgeted, it became part of what I do to take care of myself,” she said.

A Partnership That Lives Up to the Name

At PartnerMD, a concierge primary care model built around time and relationships, Debra says her care feels completely different from her past experiences.

“I feel valued and respected as a human being,” she said. “Everyone is kind and caring and makes you feel like you matter.”

From the moment she walks in the door at the Midlothian office, she feels welcomed. Wait times are minimal. Communication is warm and responsive. Same-day and next-day appointments are consistently available. If she sends a message on the portal, she knows someone will respond.

Having time with her doctor has given her something she had not felt in a long time.

“I do not have to worry. Is she going to see me? Is she going to hear me? Is someone going to hear me?” she said. “It has been phenomenal.”

And the name PartnerMD resonated more deeply over time.

“When I thought about the name, I thought, 'How perfect is that,'” Debra said. “She partners with me in my healthcare. We make decisions together. We brainstorm solutions together.”

A Moment That Made All the Difference

The impact of that partnership became clear during a frightening episode last January.

After returning to work following major surgery, Debra suddenly developed severe back pain and fever. She contacted the office and heard back almost immediately.

“Within twenty minutes, she called me,” Debra said. “She said it sounded like it might be a kidney stone or a bad infection, and she did not want to take any chances.”

Dr. Dillon ordered a stat CT scan the same day. The results showed both a stone and a serious infection. Her quick action helped Debra avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

“She did not waste any time,” Debra said. “It made a difference. It could have been a lot worse without her immediate response.”

The Peace of Mind She Always Wanted

For Debra, the greatest gift PartnerMD has given her is a profound sense of security.

“It is like a massive insurance policy on top of my healthcare insurance,” she said. “It is total peace of mind.”

That peace of mind supports every part of her life. It allows her to continue working until she reaches Medicare age, something she was not sure she could do before joining PartnerMD. It also allows her to stay healthy enough to enjoy time with her two granddaughters, who are the joy of her life.

“It has given me a better quality of life to keep working and a better quality of life to enjoy with my grandchildren,” she said.

Her Message to Others

When people ask Debra whether PartnerMD is worth it, she shares her experience without hesitation.

“I would relay my experience, which has been nothing short of phenomenal,” she said. “It is one of the best things I have ever done for my own healthcare and well-being.”

And if she had to sum it up in one sentence, she knows exactly what she would say.

“PartnerMD has given me total peace of mind about my healthcare and about the future as I age.”

If Debra’s story resonates with you and you want the same peace of mind in your own healthcare, complete our form to schedule a time to talk with a PartnerMD team member about membership and concierge care.