Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Will Harper.
Dr. Harper has twenty years of experience as an internal medicine physician in Chicago. Named to Top Doctor lists in the region, he is focused on delivering high quality internal medicine in a way that patients feel valued and truly cared for.
Prior to founding Harper Health, he held a number of different roles as a physician-leader, including directing a number of core medical school courses at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He created curricula that taught rising physicians the art of being a doctor: that unique blend of communication skills and clinical care. His success led to senior positions with national medical education associations, including the Society for General Internal Medicine and the Association of American Medical Colleges.
He also co-founded and helped run a successful wellness coaching business for six years, impacting the lives of thousands of individuals around the country. At the University of Chicago Medicine, he was the medical director of the executive physical practice for more than fifteen years. The most fun he has had professionally has been serving as lead internal medicine physician for the Chicago Blackhawks from 2005 to 2015, by their side for three Stanley Cup Championships.
Dr. Harper’s mission in medicine has led him to where he is today: a clinical practice that best meets the needs of patients, physicians and the team that supports them.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road for an entrepreneur is never smooth, but it is better the second time around. I started my first business with a friend, so always had a trusted partner with whom to validate decisions. I’m on my own this time, which makes it a bit more difficult. Unless you are in the weeds on your business, an external advisor never knows your business as well as you or your partner (if you have one).
As a small business, picking the right vendor is important. We’ve had a couple of hiccups along the way on this, It’s not a good feeling when you know you’ve picked the wrong vendor but are locked into a contract that is expensive to get out of. Yet it’s not always about money: service is king when you’re a small business. We can’t wait 24-48 hours for someone to get back to us when a piece of software isn’t working or we have a question about a lab that needs to be drawn.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
At Harper Health we provide comprehensive membership-based primary care internal medicine. Dr. Harper’s 20+ years of training and experience enable him to diagnose and manage all manner of problems an individual may face, from the simple to the complex. This makes Harper Health, as much as possible, a one-stop-shop for health, accessing our extensive network of top local specialists for consultations only when needed. In addition, as a private, membership-based concierge practice, our independence allows Harper Health to provide its members the best care possible, with limited intrusion from health plans and hospital administrators.
Included in the membership is a comprehensive yearly assessment customized to the individual’s needs and health goals. We also include follow-up and acute care visits, and personalized support throughout the year. We make it easy, incorporating in-office lab draws and modern screening tools.
Along with primary care from Dr. Harper, you get additional support from our family nurse practitioner and administrative team, who are ready to help you navigate the healthcare environment. Our health coaches, dietitians and personal trainers are on call and ready when we need them.
What sets us apart? Our relentless pursuit of primary care that meets each patient’s needs in six areas:
1. Personal: One size doesn’t fit all. Since each person has their own story, their health care should respect and honor that individuality.
2. Efficient: We are all busy people, which makes our time extremely valuable. How long do we spend on the phone at the doctor’s office trying to get a question answered? Why should a problem that could be solved in one visit take three? An efficient system respects the time of the people it serves
3. Access: So that means care when the person needs it, not just when the office is open.
Illness doesn’t exist on a 9-5 schedule.
4. Advocacy: Most of the time we plug along, keeping our health in the background.
When something happens and catastrophe seems imminent, the care team needs to be alongside you as you face the storm. That’s what we do, helping you make sense of the confusion and making sure you get the best care from the best specialists available.
5. Quality: Not all doctors are the same. From both a knowledge perspective and a patient-centered approach, we are a step above. Our patients trust us to guide them as they make difficult decisions about their health and well-being.
6. Control: The future of healthcare is uncertain. The best system will put your health information in your hands and in the hands of those who have your best interest at heart. Being out of network in health plans helps keep more control about a patient’s health in the hands of the patient and their doctor. That is comforting.
7. Value: In the end, an investment in outstanding primary care is an investment in you. This can be a great savings: in time and cost and peace of mind.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Chicago is a great city for business. There are builders and creators and innovators and thought leaders. There are smart people who are willing to share their knowledge if you go looking. There are also venture capital groups that have money to share with local businesses.
Being a small business owner in Illinois isn’t easy, though. Taxes are high at a corporate and individual level. That is a barrier to small businesses that don’t have the leverage to lobby the Mayor for tax relief.
Contact Info:
- Address: 737 N. Michigan Ave.,
Suite 2020, Chicago, IL 60611 - Website: www.harper-health.com
- Phone: 855-947-7371
- Email: info@harper-health.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harperhealthdoc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarperHealthChicago/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarperHealthDoc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/harper-health-chicago
Image Credit:
Photos courtesy of Michael Nguyen Photography (http://michaelnguyenphotos.
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
