Physician moving to Phoenix area - any advice, tips will be appreciated. (Tucson: appointed)

[DocFromNY]

Hello, in short I am diving into a deep end and moving to AZ from NYC; i am in my early 40's and leaving reasonably siccessful private practice in pursuit of better , more normal life for my little one and for a love of all what AZ has to offer, weather, open roads etc. I have spent enough time here to know that my familly will be more happy here. Caveat is I am not to eager to work for hospital or big group; on the other side, starting private practice in a new place, without one professional connection seem to be crazy!
Any thoughts?

[PoppySead]

Well, if you don't mind a lot of patients over 65 you're in luck! Open an office around a retirement community, accept medicare and you'll be full in no time. Welcome to AZ.

[sh9730]

Consider opening up slightly out of town - I ll mention Casa Grande since thats my area of knowledge. We are a growing city (50K population full time) with a LARGE influx of winter visitors (population goes to about 75K) with a small (100 bed?) hospital but many specialty offices. We have a wide income range and diverse population so the medical needs and challenges will vary widely....

At present many of the physicians do part time offices from either the Phoenix or Tucson area so we are in need of a more full time presence.

All about 45 mins from downtown Phoenix and an hour from Tucson...

But if not CG, there are other outlying communities (but not too far from civilization) that require medical services....

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by sh9730

Consider opening up slightly out of town - I ll mention Casa Grande since thats my area of knowledge. We are a growing city (50K population full time) with a LARGE influx of winter visitors (population goes to about 75K) with a small (100 bed?) hospital but many specialty offices. We have a wide income range and diverse population so the medical needs and challenges will vary widely....

At present many of the physicians do part time offices from either the Phoenix or Tucson area so we are in need of a more full time presence.

All about 45 mins from downtown Phoenix and an hour from Tucson...

But if not CG, there are other outlying communities (but not too far from civilization) that require medical services....

Agree. The newer communities like Surprise and Goodyear as well are underserved medically and the certain growth going forward makes it a great place to start out. Queen Creek (far SE) area comes to mind as well.

[Smalls]

Here is my input....Surprise is growing leaps and bounds! Most of the physicians are in large groups, my personal preference is private practice and there are not very many in this area. Boswell hospital is the hospital of choice in this area (personal opinion...Del Web Hospital sux....have had bad experiences there). In this area you have a huge mix of seniors and the younger generations. Seems like most of the physicians are ending up on the west end of Surprise and out by the new 303 highway, but the area between Peoria, Sun City and Surprise (east end) seem to have allot less. Good luck!!

[johnp292]

I always recommend Anthem, so I'll stay true to form. I'm not qualified to comment on the particulars of starting a practice here (although as I type this I'm sitting in my doctors waiting room), but we moved here from the east coast in June and we love it. Most of the docs here seem to be in large groups, personally I'd welcome a private practice.

[azriverfan.]

I'm a cardiologist practicing in the Phoenix metropolitan area. You will hear a lot of advice as to where to practice but my advice is to form your own impression after living here for a year. You will find out quickly where the opportunities are. And with everything, there is give and take. Areas in demand offer their own challenges. You have to determine what style of practice you are seeking, what type of community you want to live in, what type of patients you want to see, how much time do you want to spend commuting to work, and how much you want to earn(how much you want to work). All of those factors will impact where you will practice. You have to live here for at least a year before you will know the Valley well enough to obtain the answers to these questions. I'm not trying to be evasive but offer the most sound advice I can. Don't become prejudiced and form opinions early until you live here and learn more about the Valley for yourself. I do recommend moving here and good luck with your move.

I would recommend joining a group or a hospital for at least 1-2 years before entertaining starting your own practice. Starting from scratch in a community you are unfamiliar with is career suicide. I wouldn't rule out joining a group. There are some groups that consist of physicians who own the group and offer true partnership (with a buy-in). You share call and collect what you earn. That is much better than joining a third party company that hires and salaries physicians.

[DocFromNY]

Thank you all for a replies. I am back in Phoenix and love it! I continue my quest to relocate to AZ and looking at different possibilities to start working here as neurologist. Any further advice , thoughts will be appreciated.

[AZgarden]

Ooooooh ! We do need neurologists, so welcome and you will not be disappointed.

[MotleyCrew]

I used to hate taking my mom to the doctor here in Sun City because it looked like a bus terminal most of the time with people falling out the door. Very busy and we could use more doc's here. Welcome to AZ and enjoy!!!!