Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jamal Lawrence.
Hi Dr. Lawrence, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Thank you for having me. I am excited to speak with you. My interest in medicine was sparked by my father around the age of six. The dream of becoming a physician was both tangible and palpable because I already had an example, someone who looked like me already achieving on a high level. That vision stayed with me throughout high school and then into undergrad. During undergrad, I developed a passion for social activism. As I explored my social consciousness, I looked for ways to blend social activism and my desire to practice medicine. I was accepted to Indiana University School of Medicine and thus my medical profession began. Medical school was not without its challenges, long nights of studying, and social and personal sacrifices – but with perseverance and resilience, I was successful.
During my training as a Family Medicine Resident, I learned the terms “health equity” and “social determinants of health”. These two terms would allow me to combine both my passion and skill set into a fulfilling career as a physician, with a focus on serving marginalized and underserved populations through leadership, mentorship, and community service.
As a mission-driven physician, I desire to improve inequities in healthcare and believe that one should be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. My solution is Harvest Health MD, the first black-owned Direct Primary Care office in Savannah, Georgia. This practice aims to provide affordable, transparent, convenient care to Savannah’s diverse population while focusing on healthy living and lifestyle choices.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing great is without its challenges or setbacks. I wouldn’t say our road has been entirely smooth but we have been fortunate to be able to still prosper in the midst of the pandemic. Currently, one of our biggest challenges is our limited ability to build in-person relationships in the community because of the need for social distancing and the very real threat of the delta variant that is sending hospitalizations rates back up. So much of marketing, particularly when you are trying to do community-oriented work, depends on in-person connections, networking, and meeting new people. The lack of face-to-face connection has limited in-person relationships that would lead to referral business and increase patient enrollment. Thus, we have pivoted by focusing our efforts on digital and social media marketing to increase awareness in Savannah and surrounding communities.
We’ve been impressed with Harvest Health MD, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Harvest Health MD is a subscription-based medical practice that provides compassionate, comprehensive primary care to diverse populations that often do not have access to affordable healthcare or are disenfranchised by the healthcare system. By partnering with the patient and focusing on education, empowerment, accountability, and evidence-based medicine, it is my goal to improve the health of our patients mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
What makes us unique compared to your traditional medical practices is that we do not accept insurance as a method of payment for our services. We believe healthcare should be accessible and affordable. By using a subscription-based model to pay for healthcare, we are able to keep costs reasonably low and predictable.
Members pay the practice directly to provide a host of healthcare services thus, bypassing health insurance to streamline medical care, increase cost transparency and increase access to healthcare services. In comparison to a traditional practice where doctors only spend 7-10 minutes with each patient, excessive wait times, and limited appointment availability, at Harvest Health MD patients get to spend 30-60 mins with their personal doctor, same-day and next-day appointments, no wait time, unlimited doctor visits per month and no copay fees all for one-monthly subscription fee. This allows us to keep the patient-doctor relationship as our main priority.
So far, this novel concept has been very successful. We were fortunate to win S.C.O.R.E. Savannah 2020 BizPitch competition which has been instrumental in helping us inform the public of this healthcare option. It truly has the ability to change people’s lives for the better.
I will leave you with the Harvest Health MD Creed, “We believe that patients should be heard and not just seen. We believe that health is not just a commodity to be bought and sold but should be cultivated over time through guidance and a lasting relationship with your personal doctor. We believe that people should be cared for with dignity and respect. At Harvest Health MD, we do healthcare differently.”
What makes you happy?
I had my first child last year. He is currently 9 going on 10-months. Right now, the thing that makes me most happy is seeing the biggest smile on my son’s face after coming home from work. It reminds me to enjoy the little things and that no matter how challenging life is or what I am going through – I matter. Not because I am a doctor, not because of what I can do, not because of what I have done already, but simply because of who I am. The older I get the more I appreciate family, the people that know you and choose to love you despite the circumstances and in spite of myself.
In medicine, my impact and the ability to help people change their lives makes me happy. Being the impetus for positive healthy change in a person’s life is a gift that I treasure dearly.
Pricing:
- Ages 0-25 ($30/month)*
- Ages 26-45 ($65/month)*
- Ages 46-64 ($75/month)*
- Ages 65+ ($85/month)*
- *Pricing subject to change. Visit HarvestHealthMD.com for the most up-to-date information.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@HarvestHealthMD.com
- Website: https://HarvestHealthMD.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamallawrencemd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamallawrencemd/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jamallawrencemd/
