Meet Johanna Fangmeyer | Dermatology Nurse Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Johanna Fangmeyer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Johanna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Building a reputable, professional honest practice dedicated to providing high quality and personal care for the community. I have been in the medical field for 26 years and first 10 years I had worked in different health care settings particularly in different dermatology offices. I witnessed first hand the treatment of patients in an insurance world that has over time become very cold and a factory like environment. I wanted to recreate an empathetic and professional environment that all patients deserve.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have a small direct pay dermatology practice that is focused on personal attention, excellent patient care where we not only focus on disease prevention and self care but also developing trusting relationships with patients. I had worked with 4 different dermatology offices in the past 22 years and have really experienced different practice operations. I saw a big need in Hagerstown MD for dermatology back in 2012. I have had my practice for 10 years now and when I opened there were only 2 other dermatology practices in the area that one was retiring and other was not taking any new patients. I was servicing a great need in the area. In addition, I am one of the very few nurse practitioners that opened a nurse practitioner owned and operated dermatology practice in the US. There were only about 4 of us in the entire country in 2013. It has been a challenge but a very rewarding one over the last 10 years as I have grown business wise and professionally. One of my biggest challenges was making the decision of dropping heath insurances in Dec 2019. I was drowning by taking insurances unfortunately bc every year reimbursements were getting lower and lower forcing me to see more and more patients in a day. I went from 25 to almost 45 patients on one day. I made this decision because I was losing the personal side of healthcare and burning myself out as well. Of course March 2020 came around and I closed for 8 weeks due to the pandemic. It was the most nerve wracking year of my personal and professional life!
However when I reopened in May 2020, the flood gates opened! I was very busy with both medical and cosmetic dermatology. I have not looked back! Dropping insurances allowed myself to have more control over my practice and allows the necessary time I have with my patients and my staff. I have a very close knit practice and I am so very proud of it! I love all my patients and I also have built a really great work team. All the hard work and dedication has led my practice to have a wonderful reputation in the tristate area and we have won Best of the Best awards for the past 4 years now hoping to win 5 years in a row this year as well!I look forward to the next 10 years as I continue to build my practice. It’s been quite a ride but so worth it! I would like the world to know that perseverance, dedication, strong will and faith that dreams are achievable and can take you far beyond your expectations. You never stop learning and making yourself the best you can be while staying humble and grateful.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to the beach ! I visit Bethany Beach in Delaware often where I have a small vacation home. It’s my happy place. Lots of restaurants, shopping, bars, massage therapy but most of all walking along the beach and listening to the ocean. It’s invigorating but peaceful.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would dedicate this shout out to my parents. They immigrated from Chile to the US in 1970 and without their efforts, hard work and perseverance I would not be where I am today. They are the epitome of the American dream. My dad was also an entrepreneur and I think that is where I emulated his dream. I am so proud of them and blessed to be their daughter.

Website: Hagerstownderm.com

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