As a resident physician, are you thinking about where you want to build your future in medicine? Meet AMA member Kathryn Kelly, MD, an internist and a featured voice in the AMA’s “Finding My Place in Medicine” series.
In this series, physicians reflect on what influenced their decisions when choosing where to work—and what they wish they had known earlier. Explore her journey to help guide your own path toward a fulfilling medical career.
If you are looking for your first physician job after residency, get your cheat sheet now from the AMA. In addition, the AMA Transitioning to Practice series has guidance and resources on deciding where to practice, negotiating an employment contract, managing work-life balance and other essential tips about starting in practice—including in private practice.
"Following” Dr. Kathryn Kelly
Specialty: Internal medicine.
Practice setting: Independent group practice.
Employment type: Practice owner affiliated with Privia Health, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Privia Health is part of the AMA Health System Member Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.
Years in practice: 15.
Key factors that led me to partner with Privia Health: I was driven by the "truth and service" mission of Howard University, where I went to medical school, to build an independent practice focused on health equity and compassionate care for underserved populations. I designed my practice to accept all insurance types, including Medicaid, so that quality care would be accessible to vulnerable communities. I also established KCM Cares, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, to manage primary care across county homeless shelters, street outreach teams and a 21-bed medical respite program.
To further advance that mission, I partnered with Javara—an integrated research organization that embeds clinical trials in patient care—and Privia Health to bring primary care clinical trials directly into the community, focusing on health disparities like APOL1-mediated kidney failure affecting African American populations. Privia Health’s support with payer contracting, revenue cycle management, technology and value-based care offered a way to strengthen my practice while preserving the independence that allows me to serve my community.
What stood out to me during the interview and hiring process: As an independent practice founder, I was the one doing the interviewing and hiring. I learned that when recruiting associate physicians and advanced practice clinicians, the priority is identifying clinicians who view medicine as a calling and are dedicated to treating the whole person with warmth and empathy.
How feedback from peers and mentors influenced my evaluation process: My mentors reinforced that finding a partner aligned with my mission and purpose brings true fulfillment and long-term success.
But even before that, the guidance I got from Howard and Washington Hospital Center leaders inspired me to serve as a National Health Service Corps Scholar in Albany, Georgia, and helped me lay the foundation for starting an independent practice.
Why I chose to work in this practice setting: I was seeking a model that gave me direct control over patient care standards. I also sought a situation in which the practice setting could seamlessly integrate office primary care, shelter-based medicine, medical respite and minority-focused clinical research.
The top three qualities for a great place to work for physicians: I recommend looking for an employer or building an independent practice that:
- Prioritizes active listening and relationship-building over strict daily volume targets.
- Fosters a supportive team culture centered on equity, service and patient advocacy.
- Equips clinicians with modern infrastructure to reduce clerical overhead and protect against burnout.
How my current practice supports physician well-being and work-life balance: We have implemented AI scribes for all clinicians to record visits and generate notes live, substantially reducing after-hours charting. We also use EHR-integrated two-way text messaging and modern phone systems to simplify patient inquiries and reduce after-hours calls.
In addition, we cap daily patient volumes to keep workloads manageable, and we allocate dedicated administrative time. We also maintain a fair, empathetic environment that is sensitive to personal family needs, childcare, eldercare and life events.
The workplace attributes that contribute most to my job satisfaction as a Privia Health-affiliated practice owner: I experience complete alignment between my daily clinical practice, non-profit community work and legislative public health advocacy. I also enjoy being able to cultivate a warm, supportive workplace where staff and clinicians feel heard and enjoy coming to work.
What I wish I had known about evaluating a job offer before choosing my first position: I wish I had recognized earlier in my career that there is more to life than work. I encourage young clinicians to protect their personal health, explore the world and be a “good patient to yourself” so they can sustainably care for others.
How my current role compares with what I imagined: We have grown far beyond a single private clinic into a comprehensive health model incorporating a 10-person clinical team, shelter outreach, a 21-bed medical respite program, equity-focused clinical trials and extensive state and local health leadership. We also look forward to opening a second clinical site, expanding research trials and continuing advocacy for physician reimbursement, prior authorization reform and safety-net funding.
