What It's Like to Have a Concierge Doctor: Kristy's Story

After months of frustrating healthcare experiences, chronic migraines, and feeling overlooked, Kristy Treleani knew it was time to find a different kind of primary care.

Looking back on her experience with traditional healthcare, one feeling stands out above all else.

"I didn't feel like there was anyone that was really advocating for my well-being," she says.

She wasn't just looking for another physician. She was looking for someone who would truly be in her corner.

At PartnerMD, she found exactly that.

Healthcare That Felt Anonymous

When Kristy and her husband relocated to Greenville, South Carolina, finding a new primary care physician seemed like a routine task. It quickly became anything but.

Appointments were booked months in advance, and when urgent health concerns came up, she was often directed to urgent care or, occasionally, a nurse practitioner.

Then came an injury. After slipping on the stairs at home, Kristy underwent an X-ray. The results appeared in her online patient portal, but no one from the office ever called to explain them or check on how she was doing.

The experience summed up exactly how she felt.

"I think I would prefer that our vet was my doctor," she jokes. "Our cat was getting way better medical care than we were."

The comparison wasn't just humorous. It reflected something deeper.

Healthcare, she says, felt "very anonymous and very cold."

She rarely felt known by her physician and never felt like anyone was truly looking at the bigger picture of her health.

Searching for Something Different 

Not long afterward, Kristy was involved in a car accident. Although she wasn't seriously injured, she began experiencing debilitating daily migraines.

What followed was months of appointments, scans, specialist referrals, and medications.

"I just felt like instead of trying to figure out why a car wreck would trigger migraines, it was just a constant running through prescriptions."

The appointments felt rushed. Specialists focused on individual pieces of the puzzle, but no one seemed to connect them.

Frustrated, Kristy began searching online for concierge medicine in Greenville. Having previously lived in Southern California, she assumed concierge medicine would be financially out of reach.

Then, she discovered PartnerMD.

"It was basically the cost of a gym membership," she says. "It was a no-brainer."

Even before becoming a member, the experience felt different. She toured the office, met with the membership coordinator, and was encouraged to meet Dr. William Messer before making a decision.

Kristy, who works in consulting and thinks a lot about the customer journey, appreciated how intentional the experience felt from the very beginning.

"It was just really well thought out," she says.

More Than Medical Care

As she worked through chronic migraines and a medical leave from work, Kristy also found herself balancing difficult personal responsibilities. It was during this season that having a physician who took the time to advocate for her became invaluable.

"Dr. Messer was my partner in that," she says.

Throughout months of navigating difficult decisions and unexpected challenges, Kristy says she never felt like she had to face them alone. Whether discussing treatment options, talking through next steps, or helping her navigate the complexities of her healthcare journey, Dr. Messer took the time to listen, offer guidance, and support her every step of the way.

"I came out of that with not just a doctor who cares about me and knows me but almost a friend."

A Partnership Built on Trust

As Kristy continued working with Dr. Messer, something else changed. For the first time, medical decisions felt collaborative.

Rather than rushing through appointments or automatically writing prescriptions, Dr. Messer took time to explain options, answer questions, and help her understand why certain recommendations mattered.

Whether discussing cholesterol management, reviewing lab work, or weighing treatment options together, every conversation felt like exactly that: a conversation.

"He's just such a great solution finder," Kristy says.

Instead of feeling rushed or unheard, she became an active participant in her own healthcare. Every appointment became an opportunity to ask questions, explore options, and make informed decisions alongside a physician she trusted.

Peace of Mind You Can't Put a Price On

Today, Kristy says the biggest difference isn't simply having better healthcare. It's having confidence that someone is looking out for her.

"One of the things I never worry about is what will happen if I get sick," she says. "If I call and say I need to see someone, they'll figure it out."

She still remembers the first time she called Dr. Messer's office and he answered the phone himself.

"I was confused," she laughs. "Doctors don't answer their own phones."

That confidence eventually led her husband to become a PartnerMD member as well.

Looking back, Kristy says the biggest change wasn't simply finding shorter wait times or longer appointments. It was finding a physician who took the time to know her, advocate for her, and help her navigate life's challenges with confidence.

If Kristy's story resonates with you and you're looking for a physician who will truly listen, advocate for your health, and partner with you through every stage of life, complete our form to schedule a conversation with a PartnerMD team member and learn more about membership.