In a world where wait times grow longer and doctor visits feel rushed, a quiet transformation is taking place in Eastern North Carolina. Across the Twin Counties, a growing number of healthcare providers are challenging the status quo by offering concierge-style and personalized care—where relationships matter, wellness is prioritized, and each patient feels genuinely seen and heard.

From concierge medicine to advanced pharmacy services and holistic wellness clinics, these local pioneers are reshaping what it means to be cared for.

Dr. Richard Michal – A Classic Physician with a Modern Model

Dr. Richard Michal has practiced family medicine in Rocky Mount for more than four decades. Today, through his affiliation with MDVIP, he’s offering a model of care that many in the region never knew existed. It’s personal, it’s proactive—and it’s a refreshing return to medicine that feels like home.

As an MDVIP-affiliated physician, Dr. Michal serves a much smaller patient panel than traditional practices, allowing him to spend more time with each individual. Patients receive same-day appointments, 24/7 direct contact with their physician, and a comprehensive annual wellness exam that includes advanced screenings often missing in standard checkups.

But beyond the features, it’s the feeling that stands out: “It’s about relationships,” says Dr. Michal. “When I have time to truly know my patients, I can offer better care—and they feel more confident about their health.”

Thomas McDowell – The Neighborhood Pharmacist Who’s Rewriting the Rules

Just down the road, fourth-generation pharmacy owner Thomas McDowell is leading a revolution of his own at Medical Park Pharmacy. From his vantage point behind the counter, he’s witnessed a crucial truth: healthcare isn’t just about doctors—it’s about access, trust, and continuity.

McDowell’s flagship innovation is the MAC Pack, a medication adherence program that organizes prescriptions by day and time, making complex regimens manageable—especially for seniors and those with chronic illnesses. “We created the MAC Pack to take the guesswork out of medications,” McDowell says. “Now, hundreds of patients across six counties use it, and the response has been incredible.”

And that’s just the beginning. Through Remote Patient Monitoring, patients can track vital signs like blood pressure at home while McDowell’s team monitors results in real time, working hand-in-hand with primary care physicians to adjust treatment as needed. The result? Better health outcomes—and peace of mind.

“Big chain pharmacies see you as a number,” McDowell says. “We see you as a neighbor. And that makes all the difference.”

Dr. LaToya McCurdy – Redefining Wellness with NutraDRiP

When Dr. LaToya McCurdy founded NUTRADRiP IV Hydration & Wellness Clinic, she was on a mission: to bring top-tier, holistic healthcare to underserved communities like her hometown of Rocky Mount.

Launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, NutraDRiP has grown into a regional leader in alternative and preventive care. The clinic offers IV vitamin infusions, medical-assisted weight loss, hormone therapy, and cutting-edge aesthetic treatments—all under one roof.

“What sets us apart is our intention,” says Dr. McCurdy. “Every service is backed by science, delivered with compassion, and rooted in a commitment to community wellness.”

Her patients include busy professionals, athletes, and those recovering from illness or fatigue—all seeking to feel their best. “They want more than prescriptions—they want empowerment,” she explains. “And they deserve that.”

From primary care to pharmacy to wellness, these three providers share a common thread: a belief that healthcare can—and should—be better. More personalized. More proactive. More connected to the lives and goals of the people they serve.

And the best part? This isn’t happening in a big city. It’s happening right here, in the heart of the Twin Counties.

As concierge care models grow nationwide, the Twin Counties are showing that innovation doesn’t have to mean impersonal tech and big-city clinics. Sometimes, the future of healthcare looks a lot like the past—where you know your doctor, your pharmacist, and your wellness provider by name. Where care is delivered with intention. And where health is not just managed, but nurtured.