Today we’d like to introduce you to Sosena Kebede.
Hi Sosena , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have worn many hats over the years in the healthcare field, most of as an academic. My career and research focus has been and still is in the health service delivery improvement area- particularly on how we can improve patient engagement for the improvement of health outcomes.
Despite the shared goal of health outcome improvements our health systems are not designed for patient engagement. After 23 years of working in the traditional health system where my roles varied from direct medical care delivery to educating healthcare workers, to research and physician leadership, I decided to leave that and open a direct primary care clinic. Now I am able to provide care in an unhurried and personalized fashion to my patients where the focus is on their empowerment as the cornerstone for their health outcome improvement.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not smooth!
I am an academic and setting up a business and one that is still somewhat of a unicorn at that (DPC) was and still has a steep learning curve. I moved from Baltimore to Atlanta where I knew no one in the medical world and had to create new connections and a support system. I am also toward the latter part of my career and there is a lot heartbreak when looking back at the years and resources all of us, in the healthcare field have wasted doing things the way we know does not work for us or our patients.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Saliglasa Direct Primary Care and Consulting is a clinic is a subscription based, concierge model primary care. Patient pay monthly subscription for unlimited access and same day appointment and enhanced quality medical care and other benefits. I am an internist so I see only adults but see all medical issues ranging from the common cold and headache to managing diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic illnesses.
What sets Saliglasa apart is the focus on patient engagement and commitment to community education. A significant amount of time is dedicated to making sure patients are clear about their medical history, know why I may prescribe or recommend a particular treatment and are fully onboard with it. We co-create shared goals for their personal health and regularly have check ins and support for patients to achieve their own health goals. We hold monthly Health Talk sessions where we have a panel of physicians, including me, as well as other health care workers on some key health care issues and where the community can ask questions and dialogue with us freely. Our brand is focus on quality and engagement and I am proud of that.
Saliglasa is a unique offering even in the DPC space in that patient will shape their own care as much as they are shaped by the care they receive. It is exciting!
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I like the people I have met in the city.
I don’t like the fact that it is not a walkable city nor does it have bike lanes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saliglasa.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sosenakebedemdmph/
