Forward is the new approach to primary care, offering customized plans to help you control the future of your health. Today, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Graziano to hear her take on tech-enabled, member-centered healthcare.
Dr. Michelle Graziano — Forward physician at our New York location in Midtown — received her medical degree from Duke University and completed her internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC with a focus on primary care and global health. Her interests include women’s health and mental health, and building relationships with members is her favorite part of her job. Prior to joining Forward, Michelle was an assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Mount Sinai, serving as a primary care provider in the faculty practice.
What first drew you to practice medicine?
The wonder of the human body. For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the body and the way everything works together (and the various ramifications when things do not). In particular, medicine — and more specifically primary care — allows me to combine this awe with the opportunity to work closely with others and hear their individual stories.
What do you value most in your relationships with members?
The physician-member bond is important to helping individuals achieve their desired health goal, and I genuinely value that responsibility. I want to serve as a guide to aid members in making informed, educated and proactive decisions about their health, especially in the areas of mental and women’s health.
What is your experience with the current healthcare industry? Where would you most like to see improvements or changes?
Having worked in primary care for over five years, I know that providers care immensely for the wellbeing of patients but remain severely limited by the constraints created by the current system: the focus on volume (thus limiting time spent during visits), limited resources for preventive care (despite its importance) and the way in which insurance dictates the scope of interventions. At Forward we can provide member-centered care, allowing doctors the time and resources needed to work together closely with individuals. We believe that this level of care should be available to everyone, and we’re working to make that a reality.
Why did you decide to join Forward?
I am beyond excited to join a diverse and enthusiastic group of people whose ultimate goal is to make primary, preventive care accessible, technologically relevant, modern and truly member-centered. Forward allows me, as a provider, to actually spend time with my member and collaborate with them long-term.
What are a few fun facts about you that our members might not know?
I was a soprano in two University Chapel Choirs (but now restrict myself to shower solos).
All of the physicians who work with Forward are passionate about sharing our mission to provide primary health care in a way that highly personalized, easy to access, and—above all—affordable. As a Forward member, you and your primary care physician will work together to assess and monitor your risks and create a comprehensive preventive plan. Our primary care services are comprehensive and include testing, diagnosis, treatment, and disease management—all in once place.