What if you Could be the Doctor you Always Dreamed of Being....

without the risk of starting your practice from scratch.

AImagine being able to join an already established DPC that has already solved the "how" with a team that can support you from day one.

When you join Free Market Physician, you're joining a team of physicians with the same passion you have for becoming a doctor.

If anyone can relate to the fear of starting your own dpc clinic, it's Dr. Joseph Sheppard, DO. In 2014, he moved his wife and four small boys to a beautiful small town - Neosho, Missouri . Dr. Sheppard started with a few rooms out of a Chiropractic office and superhuman RN Miyuki Bennion. He shook hands with everyone in the community, church, chamber, rotary, lion's club, homeschool groups, etc. along with taking amazing care of his patients.

In the beginning of 2019 he was able to hire a second physician to help care for the community.

In the fall of 2019, he opened a second location with the third physician in Joplin, MO. They also moved their first Neosho location to their very own building with enough room for two physicians!

Of course all this exciting growth was met with the unexpected wave of Covid that nobody saw coming. Adaptations had to be made fast and furiously to continue to stay informed, keep staff safe, develop new processes for treatment, and help be the calm in the storm of a nation filled with fear, misinformation, and grief.

Luckily Dr. Sheppard wasn't a stranger to picking up ER shifts at a few different local hospitals in our area.

As unpredictable as becoming a dpc physician can be, we do have traditional hospitals systems around us that can provide extra opportunities for physicians to "moonlight" to further enhance their financial situation.

By mid 2023, Dr. Sheppard was ready to pursue his dream full-time of being able to offer dpc to even more patients, even more physicians, even more nurses, and even more communities and added another physician to care for his own patients. It was challenging for long-time patients, but since they know the heart of Dr. Sheppard, many can't help but respect his decision to want to help even more people. Also, the physician he hired as his "replacement" captured the hearts of many right from the start.

After celebrating a decade in 2024, an opportunity came available to take over another DPC in the community for a retiring physician. That fall it became our third location with a team totaling five physicians. We now have a new building purchased for Joplin and more exciting plans to come.

All that to say Dr. Sheppard LIVED the risks. All of our physicians understand the point of wanting to really get to know their patients, but not really wanting to build a business from the ground up.

That's the beauty of joining Free Market Physician.

There's a Better Way to Practice Medicine

-And You Don't Have to Build It Alone.

Whether you're burned out from the current system or just beginning to question it....

there's another path forward.

Burned Out Physicians

You've done everything right - and it still feels wrong.

You're tired of:

- Rushing through visits

- Fighting insurance companies

- Spending nights finishing charts

- Feeling disconnected from your patients

You don't need to leave medicine.

You just need a better way to practice it.

Medical Students & Residents

You're paying attention - and something doesn't sit right.

You see:

+ Physicians overwhelmed and exhausted

+ A system driven by volume instead of reltionships

+ Less autonomy than you expected

+ A career path that feels...heavy

You have more options than you think.

You don't have to walk into a system that's already burning people out

What if you could step into a model that actually works - without building it yourself?

That's where we come in.

At Free Market Physician, we’ve already built the infrastructure, systems, and patient awareness so you can:

Walk into an established Direct Primary Care clinic
Practice with autonomy and support
Avoid the financial and operational stress of starting from scratch
Focus on patient care—not business headaches

What DPC Looks Like

This is what medicine can feel like:

8–12 patients per day
30–60 minute visits
Direct communication with your patients
No insurance interference
Time to think, care, and connect

Why Joining an Established Clinic Matters

Starting your own DPC clinic isn’t the only option—and for many, it’s not the best one.

When you join Free Market Physician, you get:

Proven workflows and systems
Marketing and growth support
Mentorship from experienced DPC physicians
A team that handles the backend so you can focus on care

You get the Benefits of DPC - without the isolation or uncertainty

Who Is NOT a Great Fit?

This may not be the right fit if you:

Don't feel comfortable attending community events
Don't feel comfortable meeting with business owners
Don't feel comfortable speaking to groups
Don't want to be on video
Don't want your patients to be able to text you outside of office hours
Don't want to be held responsible for growing your own panel of patients
Feel more comfortable referring to specialists in most cases

Who Is This For?

This could be a great fit if you:

Want to know your patients by name when you see them
Want to practice relationship-based medicine
Enjoy shaking hands in the community
Would enjoy speaking for groups
Are open to doing videos to educate
Value autonomy but would appreciate colleagues
Would rather your patients contact you before heading to an ER
Don't want to come up with a huge investment to start
Like the challenge of being able to do in-office procedures
Still believe medicine can feel meaningful

You Don't Have to Decide Today, Just Start the Conversation.

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Request a Confidential Call

Not Ready Yet? Stay Connected.

Why Southwest Missouri?

If you’re looking for a place where you can practice meaningful medicine, know your patients by name at the local grocery store, and build a life you love, Southwest Missouri offers one of the lowest cost of living areas in the U.S., beautiful landscapes, and all four seasons sprinkled throughout the year. Click through some of our local websites below to get a feel for this place some of your new physician friends already call home.

A Place to Put Down Roots

Joplin, Neosho, and Cassville aren’t just great places to work—they’re incredible places to raise a family.

Safe, welcoming communities where neighbors know each other
Excellent schools with strong extracurricular programs
Affordable cost of living that makes home ownership and financial freedom realistic
Short commutes so you spend more time with your family - not in your car

Whether you're raising young kids or planning your future, this is a place where life feels manageable again.

Natural Beauty Right Outside Your Door

Southwest Missouri sits in the heart of the Ozarks, surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Midwest.

Weekend hikes at Roaring River State Park
Floating, kayaking, and fishing in crystal-clear streams
Waterfalls, bluffs, and scenic overlooks just a short drive away
Camping, biking, and exploring year-round

Instead of fighting crowds and traffic, your free time becomes something you actually look forward to.

Real Community, Real Impact

Your patients know you. trust you, and appreciate you
You'll see the direct impact of your care on families and generations
Opportunities to build long-term relationships - not rushed visits

This is medicine the way many physicians hoped it would be.

Joplin, Neosho, & Cassville: The Best of All Worlds

JOPLIN - A growing regional hub with restaurants, shopping, and cultural events, while still maintaining a small-town feel
NEOSHO - Charming and historic, with a close-knit community and easy access to everything
CASSVILLE - Quiet, scenic, and nestled near outdoor destinations - perfect for those who love nature and slower living