DirectMed DPC

Like most physicians, Direct Med DPC founder and Board Certified Family Physician Dr. Katriny Ikbal went into medicine to help people. She got her start working in urgent care, and was quickly disillusioned with the way the healthcare system prioritized insurance companies over patients and providers. After one too many times feeling frustrated and helpless as she tried to comfort a crying patient within the confines of a seven minute visit - and with her hand literally on the door as 10 other patients waited for her - Dr. Ikbal knew there had to be a better way. She also knew practicing good medicine required an investment in the patient-physician relationship, and that wasn't possible in the insurance-based model she had become trapped working within. The direct primary care model was just the solution Dr. Ikbal was looking for. Direct primary care returns health care to its roots of patient-centered care. At Direct Med DPC, Dr. Ikbal is able to practice medicine as it should be practiced: in collaboration with the patient to achieve better health outcomes, and at a lower cost to both patient and physician. She is so grateful to be practicing within a direct primary care model, and truly feels like she is able to provide her patients with exceptional care to optimize long-term health. Before founding Direct Med DPC, Dr. Ikbal received her undergraduate degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin and attended Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ for medical school. She then trained here in Austin at the UT Southwestern Family Medicine residency program. When Dr. Ikbal is not serving her patients, she loves spending time with her family and two rescue dogs, traveling, watching movies, baking, and doing yoga.