# Sandra Lerdal: From Burnout to Thriving in Private Practice “With Corner Health supporting me, I get to be the provider I’ve always wanted to be.” ## What’s possible with Corner Health ## 45 min Average new-patient appointment time ## 20+ Accepted insurance plans and programs ## $180k Estimated Annual Revenue ## _“I wanted to give my patients more but I just didn’t have the time.”_ ### Why Sandra wanted to start her own practice I started my career in 2015 as a floor nurse. It was backbreaking work, but I was always drawn to building long-term relationships with patients, which led me to becoming an NP. My first NP role was in home care, which meant constant driving and back-to-back visits with chronically ill patients. I wished I could spend 45 minutes with each person, but I was seeing 18 patients a day and spending hours charting on top of that. I loved primary care, but the pace was unsustainable and I was burnt out. I felt like I wasn’t showing up for my patients the way I wanted, and at the same time I didn’t have the flexibility for my family that I desired. I knew the only way to do that would be to start my own practice. ## _“I kept hearing stories about NPs who started practices and couldn’t get paid by insurance for 1.5 years.”_ ### What was holding Sandra back I was really excited about starting my own practice, but was overwhelmed by all of the administrative tasks - especially dealing with insurance. I had heard horror stories from my friends about NPs that had to wait 8+ months to get credentialed with insurance, and couldn’t get paid for 1.5 years. On the other hand, I knew many cash-only clinics often struggled to get patients because they didn’t take insurance. I knew I had to accept insurance, I just had no idea how to make it work. I also couldn’t afford to hire a whole team: receptionist, biller, office manager, marketing help, especially while trying to start part-time. What I needed was a partner that could handle the admin, so I could stay focused on patient care. ## _“I don’t know what I’d do without Corner Health. It’s such a relief to be able to say, ‘I have a team for that,’ and actually mean it.”_ ### How Corner Health helped Sandra’s dream come true I tell everyone who is interested in starting their own private practice about Corner Health. It’s a way to finally run your own practice, without being overwhelmed by the admin work that usually comes with it. ### My favorite parts about Corner Health are: - **Easy credentialing:** Corner Health got me credentialed with over 20 insurance plans in Arizona, fast - **It’s my practice:** Even with all the support, it is still my practice. I get to decide when and how to see patients, what services to provide, and how I grow. - **Streamlined intake:** They manage all patient intake, so I always know who’s in-network and who’s not - **Get paid faster:** Corner Health handles all billing, and I get paid way faster than I would on my own - **No additional staff:** I haven’t had to hire anyone - Corner Health manages my phone lines, lab orders, referrals, and PAs - **Supportive & responsive team:** My Corner Health team is always asking my input and preferences on their technology, and constantly building new features ## _“Owning my own practice has been the best professional experience I’ve ever had.”_ ### What drives Sandra’s commitment to independent practice I truly love running Lerdal Health & Wellness. I have full control over my schedule, which means I can adjust my day to be the kind of provider I want to be, and have the flexibility for my family that I’ve always wanted. I don’t have to ask permission to prioritize my family or rework my schedule to show up where I’m needed. Most importantly, I finally have the time to give patients the care they deserve. I get to listen more deeply, build real relationships, and practice the kind of medicine that made me want to become an NP in the first place.