A new healthcare practice in Santa Rosa Beach is targeting mothers and women who face challenges accessing medical care while managing family and work responsibilities.

• The Mom NP, founded by board-certified nurse practitioner Lisa O’Neill, operates on a Direct Primary Care model that eliminates insurance requirements. The clinic provides telehealth and in-person appointments with services including hormone management and mental health support.

O’Neill, a Florida Panhandle native who graduated from Freeport High School in 2005, earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is currently a doctoral candidate at Vanderbilt University.

“I know firsthand how hard it can be to prioritize your own health while juggling the endless responsibilities of motherhood, work, and everything in between,” said O’Neill, who has 13 years of healthcare experience. “Too often, women face barriers like long wait times, rushed appointments, and a lack of resources that truly address their needs.”

Research shows that 40.6% of female patients reported leaving medical appointments before completion due to childcare needs, making childcare requirements a leading barrier to healthcare among women accessing care in safety-net settings.

The Direct Primary Care membership model allows O’Neill to provide personalized care without rushing through appointments or navigating insurance company requirements and restrictions. Through DPC membership, patients receive unlimited access to O’Neill through virtual consultations and direct communication via phone, text or email. This accessibility addresses scheduling challenges that often prevent mothers from seeking necessary medical care.

• “We’re not just a practice — we’re a community of women who get it,” O’Neill said. “As a mom myself, I understand the challenges you face because I’ve been there too. That’s why I’m committed to providing the compassionate, one-on-one care that so many moms are missing.”

O’Neill has built what she calls a “Village of Support” through partnerships with Growing Love Ultrasound Studio, 30A Lactation, and pelvic floor therapists. The collaborative network includes two licensed mental health therapists, ensuring care for both body and mind. Over the past six months, the clinic expanded into a larger space and now includes a dedicated nurse and phlebotomist on staff.

The clinic also offers small business membership plans for local employers. The program requires a minimum of five to eight employees to qualify for discounts, with rates offering $10 off core care and $16 off per employee on concierge services. Groups of 10 to 15 employees receive larger discounts.

“The small business memberships are really the exact same core care and concierge care options. But if you bring at least five to eight employees then you get a discount,” O’Neill said. “That came up because I’ve had two female owned businesses come in wanting some sort of care for their employees.”

Recent legislation allows businesses to receive tax breaks for providing direct primary care to employees, creating financial benefits for both employers and workers.

The arrangement benefits both parties, as employers maintain healthier workforces while employees gain access to 24-hour care without going without medical attention. Companies can combine high-deductible insurance plans with direct primary care memberships or offer DPC as a standalone benefit, says O’Neill.

• “Employers like it because it keeps their employees healthy and it gives them an option and employees like it because they can feel better and they always have somebody there to call if they need to,” O’Neill said. “So I think it’s a win-win for any business that comes on with their employees.”

The Mom NP’s services include primary care with same-day or next-day appointments that accommodate urgent health concerns without typical delays of traditional healthcare systems. The clinic also provides specialized hormone management, weight management programs and mental health support with talk therapy provided by experienced professionals who understand the emotional and psychological challenges of motherhood.

O’Neill completed extensive training on bioidentical hormone replacement from the BHRT Training Academy and maintains active membership in The Menopause Society, ensuring her expertise remains current with the latest developments in women’s hormonal health. The weight management programs focus on integrative, personalized plans that account for the unique challenges mothers face in maintaining their health while caring for families. These programs are designed to be realistic and sustainable within the context of busy family life.

• Mental health support represents another aspect of the clinic’s services. The integrated approach recognizes that women’s health encompasses both physical and mental wellbeing.

O’Neill’s clinical approach emphasizes active listening, thorough assessments, and collaborative care plans tailored to meet individual needs. Her philosophy centers on creating strong partnerships with patients rather than the rushed, impersonal interactions that characterize much of modern healthcare.

“Whether it’s lending a listening ear, finding the root cause of an issue, or creating a care plan tailored just for you, my approach is always focused on you,” O’Neill said. “I love empowering women to take charge of their health while juggling their many roles, and my goal is to help you feel seen, heard, and cared for.”

The clinic operates under the philosophy that healthcare should adapt to families rather than forcing families to adapt to healthcare systems. This patient-centered approach extends to the clinic’s physical presence in Santa Rosa Beach, where both telehealth and in-person services are available to accommodate varying preferences and needs.

O’Neill offers a Path Forward Consultation for $79. The 30-minute session helps patients explore health goals and receive recommendations for programs or services. The consultation fee applies toward any program if patients enroll within 14 days.

• During Path Forward Consultations, O’Neill reviews patients’ symptoms and health history, discusses their goals and concerns, recommends the best program or service for their needs, and answers questions about the clinic’s processes and pricing. These sessions cover considerations for hormone optimization, weight loss, gut health, or overall wellness planning.

O’Neill has established community partnerships to enhance services for her patients as well. The clinic has partnered with Growing Love in Destin to offer discounts for elective ultrasounds for pregnant patients, who represent a significant portion of her practice seeking primary care alongside their prenatal care.

“We’ve built a ‘village’ of care to meet your unique needs,” O’Neill said, describing the clinic’s comprehensive approach to women’s healthcare. “From preventative care to wellness treatments, everything we offer is tailored to fit your busy life. At The Mom NP, we’re more than just a clinic — we’re your village of support.”

The clinic welcomes all women, not exclusively mothers, and emphasizes creating a supportive, judgment-free environment where patients can focus on their health and wellness needs without the typical constraints of traditional medical practices. The clinic serves women throughout the greater Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.

The practice operates on the principle that women deserve the same level of care and understanding that they provide to everyone else in their families.

• “You’re not just another patient — you’re a mom who deserves the same level of care and understanding that you give to everyone else,” O’Neill said. “Let me help you prioritize your health so you can keep doing all the amazing things you do for your family.”