About Dr. Rodriguez

¡Hola!  I’m Dr. Rodriguez, your bilingual, bicultural Physician with a Jersey twist! Raised on a blend of English, Spanish, and the lively rhythms of my Dominican roots, I’m here to make your wellness journey as vibrant as my upbringing.

From the hustle of New Jersey to the chill of Massachusetts, I earned my stripes at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Pre-med was my jam, and ensuring I added some medical humanities for good measure.  Then, it was off to Dominica for my medical degree – yes, the one in the Caribbean with amazing weather!

Back on U.S. soil, I fine-tuned my skills at the University of Connecticut during residency. Mental health, health literacy, and the socioeconomic dance with physical health areas I love.  Food is my medicine, and motivational interviewing is my mic drop! I’m all about helping people become their own health MVPs, one conversation at a time.

Lifelong learner, enthusiastic teacher, and your partner in wellness. Let’s decode your health together!

Join the fun – your health journey is about to get a whole lot brighter! 

Do you take insurance?

Many of our patients have health insurance, but our membership includes the costs of your consultation.  You can use your insurance for labs, medications, specialists, etc. if you wish.  We do not bill insurance for services rendered in the office, because if we did, we would have to see patients for only 7 minutes, and see 20-30 patients a day to make it work, just like the broken health care system.

Are there specific clinical services you do NOT provide?

We do not prescribe long-term controlled medications for anxiety (such as xanax or valium or similar medications) and do not prescribe medications for long-term pain.  We believe that these areas require a level of expertise to be able to manage them.  If you are on such medications, you will need to have made arrangements for another Physician to oversee that part of your care.  We obviously want to know what is happening and can help collaborate, but we will not be managing those medications.

Can I see Dr. Rodriguez for just one visit without becoming a member?

Primary care services are rendered only for members.  We believe that primary care relationships are long-term and invest a lot of time and energy in our patients.  So we do not render one-time visits for primary care.  There are very specific services that we have one-time visits for (aesthetics, immigration, micronutrient testing, etc.), and you can learn more on the web site.

What does the membership include and not include?

The membership includes consultation visits with the Physician, and access to your health coach.  It also includes care coordination, longer visits than traditional practices, and more direct access to your physician.  It does NOT include costs of medications, labs, procedures, vaccinations, imaging, specialty referrals, etc. More details are spelled out in the membership agreement.

How long is the membership?

The membership renews indefinitely unless terminated.  We are looking for patients who want to be long-term members.  If a member terminates membership or we terminate membership, there is a very high threshold to rejoin.  We are NOT looking for patients looking for a short-term solution.

How do I become a patient if I’ve already seen Dr. Rodriguez before?

Our practice has a very specific onboarding process.  First you pre-enroll using the link.  Second, you will set up an intake visit with Dr. Rodriguez to understand how the practice works and to make sure this new practice model is the right fit for you.  Once that is done, you will. be scheduled for your follow-up visits/physicals.  Because the 4 Elements practice model is very different, all patients need to have an intake visit.  You may realize that the practice isn’t right for you, or you may find that this is everything you wished healthcare could be!  It is important to have a visit to understand how we will work together.

When will Dr. Rodriguez start and how soon can I see her after she starts?

Dr. Rodriguez is anticipated to start in March 2024.  We will book intakes during that month, and typically we get patients in within a few weeks or so for an intake.  We will begin formally booking intakes in February.

Is there a discount if I am a previous patient of Dr. Rodriguez?

Our practice model works on a low overhead and it is the same pricing structure for Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Kainkaryam’s patients.  Our member rates are fixed, and are already very affordable (less than a cup of coffee a day!).

Can I see another doctor before Dr. Rodriguez joins?

Dr. Rodriguez will be onboarding her patients. At 4 Elements, our providers dedicate a significant amount of time during the onboarding process to truly develop a partnership in wellness. During the first “Intake” visit, Dr. Rodriguez will take a dive into all of your records and medical history, will learn about your outlook on medicine and begin the process for developing a path moving forward. The onboarding process will be the same for new patients and previous patients of Dr. Rodriguez, as the Direct Primary Care model is new to all, and requires a mindset shift that empowers both our patients and providers.  

Patents become official members of the practice at the time of their intake visit (which is a “get to know you and set expectations” type of visit, NOT an “assess a medical condition and devise a treatment plan” visit) and ensuring that the Physician and the care model is the right fit for them.  We also do not allow patients to change between Physicians because there may be times when Physicians cover for each other, and it may affect the objectivity of the therapeutic doctor-patient relationship.  

Therefore, the doctor with whom you do the intake will be your primary care physician if you choose to join the practice with them.  If they are not the right fit, that’s also OK, and you would do your intake with another Physician.  However, we do not begin to treat or assess any medical conditions until you and your Physician have mutually agreed at the intake to work with each other.  If you need to be seen for any issues prior to your intake visit and establishing care with Dr. Rodriguez, you may seek care at an urgent care or your previous PCP office for care in the interim prior to being established at 4 Elements with Dr. Rodriguez.