Our Interview With Dr. Robert Kornfeld, D.P.M

Dr. Robert Kornfeld, D.P.M, is the Founder of Chronic Foot Pain Center and Institute for Functional Podiatric Medicine. Learn more about how our consultants can help you get into medical school today.

What motivated you to pursue a career in medicine?

I was into running in college. I developed really bad heel pain. I went to a podiatrist and he diagnosed me, treated me and set me up with runner’s orthotics and it turned my life around. I really was impressed and decided that’s what I want to do.

Did you have any setbacks or rejections during the med school admissions process, and what did you learn from those experiences?

No. None. I was committed to being a podiatrist and was accepted to where I really wanted to go.

If someone wants to start their own practice, what does that path look like after finishing medical school?

Currently, private practice is discouraged and even shunned during residencies. I think that is tragic and unfair to doctors who wish to be in control of their practice experience. I have maintained a private solo practice for 43 years despite the brainwashing that you cannot survive privately, especially if you accept insurance. I do agree that private practice in an insurance-dependent practice is extremely challenging and requires huge volumes of patients daily to survive. But if anyone wants to succeed in a private practice, they must have a potent and powerful niche – one that gives patients a compelling reason to pay out of pocket because they cannot avail themselves of your services with an insurance doctor. My niche in functional medicine and regenerative medicine has enabled me to thrive without accepting any insurance since 2000.

What advice would you give to someone who’s looking to start their practice today?

If a doctor wishes to start their own private practice, I strongly urge them to investigate different niches and find one that resonates with their practice philosophy. Once you have trained properly in the niche, be willing to do the HARD work needed to make it successful. Making the commitment and being consistent is the key. Hard work is temporary and eventually nets an easy life. Looking for the easy way guarantees a hard life permanently. Most importantly, listen to your own desires and NOT that of others. Many people will criticize you and try to dissuade you from running your own autonomous practice that delivers complete freedom from the exploitative and abusive insurance-dependency system. Remain steadfast. You will come out way ahead in so many ways, especially your emotional and financial health.

Inspira Advantage are proud to interview experts like Dr. Robert Kornfeld, D.P.M to help future doctors understand the challenges and rewards of a medical career. Read Inspira Advantage's interview on their website here.