Latest / Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact / Ep. 199 | Reimagining Pediatric Care: How Dr. Brad Is Bringing Relationships Back to Medicine
Transcript
- Introduction Host: Welcome to the Chamber podcast. Today we're joined by Dr. Brad McCammack, founder of McCammack Pediatrics, to discuss his journey from community health care to launching a relationship-centered pediatric practice in Carlsbad Village. Background and Career Path Dr. McCammack grew up in Manhattan Beach, attended UC Berkeley for undergraduate studies, completed medical school at USC, and later trained at Johns Hopkins before returning to Southern California. He spent nearly 12 years serving families through Vista Community Clinic, eventually becoming a site director. During his time at Vista Community Clinic, he gained valuable leadership experience and insight into the operational side of health care, while continuing to focus primarily on patient care. Recognizing the Challenges in Traditional Health Care Dr. McCammack discussed the growing pressures facing health care providers, including higher patient volumes, shorter visit times, and limited access between appointments. He observed that many families struggled to contact their physician directly and often defaulted to urgent care or emergency rooms rather than navigating traditional appointment systems. [199_McCamm...atrics.txt | Txt] He noted that while providers remain deeply committed to patient care, the demands of the system can create barriers to meaningful relationships and personalized attention. [199_McCamm...atrics.txt | Txt] Building a Different Model These experiences led Dr. McCammack to establish McCammack Pediatrics, a direct primary care pediatric practice focused on accessibility, continuity, and strong physician-family relationships. The practice emphasizes: • Same-day or next-day appointments • Direct communication via text, phone, and email • Extended visit times • Minimal waiting • Newborn home visits • Personalized care plans for families Direct Primary Care Explained Rather than relying on traditional insurance billing as the primary driver of care delivery, the practice uses a membership model. Families pay a monthly fee that includes office visits, communication access, and ongoing support. The model is compatible with HSA and FSA accounts. According to Dr. McCammack, membership delivers peace of mind because families know they have direct access to a physician who knows their child and their medical history. The Value of Relationships One of the most significant differences in the practice is the size of the patient panel. While a traditional pediatric panel may include approximately 1,700 patients, Dr. McCammack's goal is to maintain a panel of roughly 300 patients. This allows him to preserve responsiveness, accessibility, and personalized care. He emphasized the importance of understanding each family's unique situation and referred to this as the "art of medicine," where evidence-based care is paired with individualized support and trust. Supporting Families When They Need It Most A hallmark of the practice is newborn home visits. Dr. McCammack believes new parents should not be required to transport newborns to clinics shortly after birth and has made home-based newborn care a core service of the practice. The model also helps reduce unnecessary emergency room visits, minimize missed work and school time, and deliver care more efficiently through direct communication and virtual support when appropriate. Investing in the Community Located in Carlsbad Village, McCammack Pediatrics reflects the values of local entrepreneurship and community-centered care. Dr. McCammack credited the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce with helping him connect with other business owners and build relationships within the community. Closing Families interested in learning more can schedule a complimentary meet-and-greet through the practice website and determine whether the direct primary care model is the right fit for their needs