About Dr. Guthrie

Shauna L. Guthrie, MD, MPH, FAAFP

I’m a Family Medicine and Preventive Medicine Physician. More importantly, I grew up in rural areas of KS and MO and know first-hand what it’s like to avoid going to the doctor because of lack of insurance and fear of cost.  Even recently I’ve delayed going because of a lack of convenience and in a small town I’m always a little concerned about privacy. I created Sunflower DPC around the idea that our current healthcare system is broken, but it doesn’t have to be.

Now the official stuff: I went to The University of Kansas (KU not UK) where I received a bachelor’s degree in Biology/Genetics. I went to medical school at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia and did my residencies (specialty training) at the NH Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency and Dartmouth Hitchcock Leadership Preventive Medicine Residency. In 2013, upon finishing my training, I was looking for warmer weather than Concord, NH (easy) and found it in Henderson, NC. While here I’ve worked across Granville and Vance Counties in the hospitals, nursing homes, and private practice, as well as public health (where I still get the opportunity to serve). I treat people of all ages and one thing I absolutely love about Family Medicine that I get to know my patients, their health, and sometimes even see their families grow!

Why DPC?

For me, I have many answers to this question and I’m happy to sit down with you and chat about it. What it comes down to is:

• I think there’s a different, better way to provide care that feels better to everyone involved. Doctor’s visits can be comfortable and helpful – you should never leave feeling disrespected, rushed, or confused about the plan.
• Doctor’s visits can be affordable. When everything is between the doctor and the patient overhead goes down, pricing can be transparent, and you’d be amazed how your care improves! Now your health is about you and between you and your physician, not others who make decisions and create paperwork to reduce the cost to them.
• Healthcare is not available to everyone, often due to cost. Right now, not everyone can afford “good” insurance (even the bad stuff is expensive!!) and those that do may be looking for somewhere that they can have more predictable costs, longer visits, and more of a partnership with their physician than they’ve had in the past. I am passionate about caring for those with limited finances who may not otherwise be able to access services and this provides another option for those searching for care.

I’m so excited to learn for myself more benefits of DPC for my patients and for me in the first direct primary care practice in Vance County!

Why in Downtown Henderson, NC?

I know, downtown isn’t the usual place for medical services (though now with two primary care clinics in downtown it is becoming one!). For Henderson in general, it’s pretty hard to beat the climate. After 5 years in the snowy north I’m so glad to be down here where it’s much more temperate! Since I moved here in 2013 I’ve grown to love this historic town and the people who live here. I’ve seen it grow and expand in exciting ways and I can see our potential. Have you been to McGregor Hall yet? We have a Starbucks now, which is great for the local economy! There’s nothing like a small town coffee shop though, and I love visiting Sadie’s Coffee Corner downtown. I want to help promote small businesses in downtown and what better way to do that than by bringing people there to improve their health?