Today we’d like to introduce you to Kent Lofley.
Hi Kent, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My decision to open a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice came from growing frustration with the traditional healthcare system. As a family medicine doctor, I had been practicing for nine years when I reached a point where my work no longer felt meaningful. The system’s increasing red tape and rushed appointment times made it hard to build the kind of trusting, lasting relationships with patients that I had always hoped for. On top of that, dealing with insurance companies became a constant struggle—through prior authorizations, denied care, and restrictions that limited my patients’ access to the services they needed.
At the same time, insurance payments were going down, and the response from healthcare organizations was to ask doctors to see more and more patients each day. That kind of pace isn’t just exhausting—it makes it hard to give patients the quality care they deserve. The paperwork alone—charting, billing, managing lab results, and referrals—was overwhelming. I knew there had to be a better way to care for people—one where I could spend more time with each patient and truly focus on their needs.
I first heard about Direct Primary Care when I was still a medical student. A classmate talked about opening his own DPC clinic after residency. It sounded interesting, but I hadn’t yet experienced the challenges of working in the insurance-based model, so I didn’t fully understand how powerful DPC could be. I suppose I had to experience the difficulties myself to really appreciate its value.
When my family and I made the decision to relocate from Idaho, it was with the dream of opening our own DPC practice. It was a big move, filled with both excitement and uncertainty, but we felt called to pursue a better way of practicing medicine. Once I made the leap, the hardest part wasn’t the clinical work—I felt confident in my skills as a physician. The real challenge was learning how to run a business. I had no background in business! Starting from scratch, I had to learn how to form an LLC, write a business plan, get a loan, find a space to rent, set up the clinic, and choose the right electronic medical record system. Every step was new to me, but each one helped me grow. Looking back, building the practice has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
We officially opened our doors in April 2022, and as of this past April, we’ve now been open for three years. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been deeply fulfilling. We’re so grateful to be part of such a supportive and welcoming community. The response from our patients and neighbors has been incredibly encouraging, and it reminds me every day why we made this leap.
Throughout it all, I’ve been blessed with a strong support system at home. I’m a father of nine—seven girls and two boys—so life is always full! My amazing wife, Tara, has been my rock. She was earning her MBA at the same time we were building the clinic, and her support has meant the world to me.
This journey has been life-changing. I’m so thankful to be practicing medicine in a way that truly puts patients first—the way I always hoped I could.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Was it a smooth road? Not exactly. But every challenge brought valuable lessons. As a new doctor starting out in a brand-new community, I was truly beginning from scratch. That meant not only building a patient base from the ground up, but also helping my family adjust to a new home and environment. One of the biggest early hurdles was simply getting those first few patients through the door.
During that first year, I continued working full-time in telemedicine. It was the only way to keep up with our financial needs while the DPC practice grew at its own pace. It wasn’t easy balancing both roles. Managing different tech platforms—like our online scheduling system and electronic medical records—was another challenge, especially early on. Thankfully, those systems have become much smoother with time and experience.
The hardest part, by far, was the number of hours I was working. Balancing a full-time telemedicine job with launching a brand-new practice meant I was always on the move. I remember answering patient messages from the sidelines of soccer games and catching up on work while waiting at dance class. Making sure my kids could stay involved in their activities was really important to me, so it became a team effort. Everyone pitched in to help make it all work.
And all of this was happening while my amazing wife, Tara, was also finishing her MBA. That season of life was incredibly intense—but it strengthened my belief in this model of care and reminded me why I started this journey in the first place.
As you know, we’re big fans of Blue Ocean Direct Primary Care. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Blue Ocean Direct Primary Care, we offer a fresh, more personal approach to healthcare. Our name and philosophy are inspired by the “Blue Ocean Strategy”—the idea of creating a new path rather than competing in an overcrowded space. We believe the traditional, insurance-based system often limits how doctors care for patients. So, we built a practice that removes those barriers and puts the focus where it belongs: on the relationship between doctor and patient.
What We Do & What Sets Us Apart
We follow a Direct Primary Care (DPC) model. That means we don’t bill insurance. Instead, patients pay a simple, affordable monthly membership:
$105 per month per person
Family maximum of $300
No registration fees
This model gives patients unlimited access to their physician, with same- or next-day appointments, longer visits (usually 30–60 minutes), and direct communication with me by phone, text, or video. In many cases, patients can reach out anytime—often even after hours—without the delays or barriers of a traditional office.
It’s a relationship-first model that makes healthcare feel personal, responsive, and centered entirely around the patient—not the paperwork.
Our Services
We care for individuals and families of all ages, offering a wide range of services grouped into two categories:
Core Services: Preventive and routine care, Sick visits, Injury evaluation and treatment, Chronic disease management
Specialized Services: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), DOT physicals, An integrative approach to care that combines modern medicine with osteopathic principles, focusing on whole-body wellness and root causes of illness.
Our Values: Personalized Care & Community Connection
Our tagline—“It’s like having a doctor in the family”—is more than a slogan. It’s our mission. We take time to truly listen to our patients, understand their goals, and create a care plan that fits their lifestyle, history, and preferences. We believe in building trust and offering peace of mind—knowing your doctor truly knows you.
Since opening our doors in April 2022, we’ve seen a tremendous need for this model in the Hendersonville area. Our approach is especially helpful for:
Small business owners
Gig workers and independent contractors
Uninsured patients
Those with high-deductible health plans
We provide an affordable, reliable way to get consistent, high-quality care—even when traditional insurance options fall short.
What We’re Most Proud Of
What makes me proudest—brand-wise—is the deep level of trust we’ve built with our patients. We’ve brought back something that many people feel has been lost in modern medicine: a real, lasting relationship with your doctor. We’ve become known for our accessibility, honesty, and the sense of calm and confidence we bring to our patients’ healthcare experience.
Outside the exam room, we’re proud to be active in the Hendersonville community. We love giving back through volunteer work, like helping with the Hendersonville City Clean-Up and participating in local events. For us, caring for people goes beyond check-ups and labs—it’s also about contributing to a healthier, more connected community.
If there’s one thing we want readers to know, it’s this: Blue Ocean Direct Primary Care isn’t just another doctor’s office—it’s a better way to do healthcare. We offer care that’s personal, affordable, and focused entirely on the needs of our patients. We’re here to change what primary care can look like—and feel like—for individuals and families in our community.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Although I started this journey as a solo physician, I’ve never truly been alone. My wife, Tara, has been especially instrumental—managing the office.
Our nine children have also played their part, helping at events and keeping me grounded. Professionally, I’ve leaned on the national DPC community and received generous local support from fellow DPC physicians. Groups like the Hendersonville Chamber Leads and Sumner Business Exchange have also been key in helping us grow.
And of course, I’m grateful for our amazing medical assistant, McKayla, whose care and dedication help make each patient visit smooth and meaningful.
It’s been a team effort from the start—and I’m so thankful.
Pricing:
- Individual Membership: $105/month
- Family Membership (3+ members): $300/month
- Discount pricing on medications, labs, imaging, and professional grade supplements.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blueoceanfamilymedicine.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueoceanfamilymedicine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Blueoceanfamilymedicine/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-ocean-dpc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blueoceanfamilymedicine
