LEESBURG — Problems caused by insurance company quotas and overworked doctors have caused a shift in how practitioners conduct annual checkups and manage care.
One practitioner in Leesburg has detoured from the status quo to provide personalized care and now has a prominent award recognizing her innovation in her community.
Amanda Gaskin, founder of and nurse practitioner at Ultimate Health Direct Primary Care, Ultimate Health Spa and Ultimate Health Men’s Clinic has won the 2025 SBA Woman-Owned Small Businessperson of the Year for the state of Florida.
Gaskin has also been recognized as the North Florida District Woman-Owned Small Businessperson of the Year.
The nurse practitioner says that her award is more than just recognition of our business growth — “it’s a celebration of resilience, purpose, and the impact small businesses can have when they lead with heart. I’m honored to represent so many incredible women business owners across Florida who are changing lives through entrepreneurship.”
Founded in 2021, Ultimate Health DPC was inspired by Gaskin’s aspirations to address healthcare access disparities, brought to light during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, her practice has expanded into multiple locations, offering primary care, aesthetic services, men’s and women’s sexual wellness and a training academy for aspiring healthcare entrepreneurs.
“Through her leadership, Amanda has not only created new jobs but also opened doors for others to pursue their dreams of business ownership — especially women and minority healthcare providers navigating the challenges of the traditional medical model,” the SBA said in a press release.
Many providers are veering away from tending to insured patients to direct care to accommodate fewer patients with more attention who pay monthly for a personalized suite of services rather than going through an insurance provider’s referral.
Gaskin told the Daily Commercial some months back at a chamber of commerce meeting that she adopted the direct care approach so she could be available for her customers “24-7.”
“It’s a wonderful experience,” Dawn Everett said of visiting Gaskin’s practice.
“I was very down for probably a year,” the Lady Lake resident shared. “I was, one, very overweight, and she has a weight program. Two, I was very, very sad, dealing with depression.”
Everett said walking into Ultimate Health DPC was a welcome contrast from other clinics she’d visited.
“I walked into that office and there was just so much joy and so much happiness going on. The minute you walk in the door — it looked and smelled clean. Amanda was there. She approached me, and said, “You need to come and tell me what’s going on, and she spent an hour of her time with me going over hormones, going over a game plan. It just was amazing.”
That was in September 2024. Everett, 60, had dealt with the loss of her dementia-afflicted mother after caring for her for five years, and Gaskin’s guidance and availability made a huge difference in her life, she told the Daily Commercial, adding that she was able to reach Gaskin on the phone and get help in between visits, attention that’s become byzantine and as easy as talking to royalty in traditional medical settings.
Gaskin’s personalized approach helped Everett, who feels immensely better and has lost 40 pounds since her first visit and she continues to consult Gaskin. Her husband, who’s 62, is going to visit for testosterone treatment.
A recently published book delves into why primary care providers are burning out at unprecedented rates.
Direct primary care could be seen as an antidote to the PCP burnout that adversely affects patients. Patricia Robinson, Ph.D., and Jeffrey Reiter, Ph.D., are the co-authors of “Behavioral Consultation and Primary Care: A Guide to Integrating Services” that delves into these issues.
Closer to home, the SBA will recognize direct care provider Gaskin and other National Small Business Week award recipients during events across the country May 4-10, 2025.
Gaskin will be honored locally at celebratory events hosted by the Florida SBDC in Jacksonville and Orlando, with the private Orlando event taking place on May 21.
“This prestigious honor recognizes Gaskin’s remarkable leadership, entrepreneurial success, and commitment to advancing small business ownership throughout the state,” the SBA added.
To learn more about Amanda V. Gaskin and Ultimate Health, visit ultimatehealthdpc.com.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Tired of your primary care provider? Leesburg practitioner recognized for direct care alternative
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
